Congress assures to put all efforts in resolving Naga issue

Rahul Gandhi: “Nagaland is one of the few states in India which is actually going backwards”

Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, MARCH 27

THE Congress Party today assured Naga people to put all efforts towards resolution of the protracted Naga political problem.
Wooing one of the biggest election campaign known in the recent past in the state capital, AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi said “whatever energy I have, I will put for the resolution of the Naga problem”, which received thunderous applause from the packed ground.He however said that “…but I cannot promise that is will be solved within three months”, unlike the failed promise of Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls on NPF ticket.
Expressing that in politics, heart is much important then words, Rahul Gandhi said “my heart is in trying to get peace and harmony in the State”.
He also attacked the Neiphiu Rio government in the state maintaining that it was Rio making an incapable promise of solving the Naga political issue within three months if the NPF is voted to power in 2003 state Assembly election.
The AICC vice president alleged that “Rio had promised that which he is incapable of delivering”.
He also claimed that the Congress-led UPA government is taking bold steps and holding talks with the NSCN leaders.
On the developmental aspect of the state, Rahul Gandhi said “Nagaland is one of the few states in India which is actually going backwards”. Rio government has put Nagaland in reverse gear and this is not good for the Naga people, he said adding that instead of making false promises Rio should at least put the development of Nagaland into the first gear.
Under the NPF-led DAN government, the growth rate of Nagaland has gone down from 8.3% to 3.5%, he alleged adding that during the last 17 months, the Centre has given Rs. 300 crore for construction of four roads in the state but not a single road has been completed and DAN government wants to revise the estimates.
He also thrashed the NPF government for not paying the salaries of 2730 SSA teachers in the state and also holding the women reservation policy. “Youngsters need education while no state can move ahead without empowering its women,” he said adding that the Congress has put up bill in the parliament for reservation of 50% seat for women in local government and 33% in the Assembly and Parliament. He also said that Congress government would open up dedicated police stations run by women for women.
Expressing that the ideology of Congress is ‘love, peace and brotherhood’, he said youngsters of Nagaland and North East should be comfortable in any parts of the country and we will build an India, where they are comfortable and consider as their second home.
The AICC vice president further maintaining that the single biggest problem of NE states is connectivity, assured that the next UPA government in Delhi would drastically take road and infrastructure development in Nagaland and NE region.
On the Look East policy, he asserted that efforts would be made not only to connect the NE with the rest of the country but also towards the South ASEAN countries through the policy.
He also said that the efforts of UPA government to provide 100 million jobs to the youngsters would be possible only if the NE region is connected to the rest of the country.
“I want to help you build a peaceful and prosperous Nagaland,” Rahul Gandhi asked the Naga people to freely approach and discuss the problems of the region with him.
He asserted to be the special representative of the people of the North East in Delhi, and will keep his doors open to help the Nagas in particular for a prosperous Nagaland.
Meanwhile, appreciating the rich tradition and culture of the North East, he said India’s strength lies in the different culture and tradition of the people, but BJP-led NDA wants to impose the tradition and culture of the region. “This is the biggest difference between UPA and NDA,” he said.
AICC general secretary i/c Nagaland, Luizinho Faleiro and Congress legislature Party leader Tokheho Yepthomi also spoke in support of the INC candidate KV Pusa.
Interestingly, though it was an election campaign for the INC candidate KV Pusa, however there was no seat for him in the dias, which barely had six seats. Besides Rahul Gandhi, it was the past and present leaders of state Congress party occupying the dias while the official INC candidate was strolling around below the platform.
It was only when the compere announced that Rahul Gandhi would be introducing the INC candidate before the public that Pusa went up to the stage but was back on the ground immediately after waving and smiling before the mammoth gathering of people from all walks of life.