Congress promises mini-secretariat for eastern districts

With five objectives by focusing on eastern districts for the upcoming general election, Congress party has promised to set up a mini-secretariat in Tuensang, create separate directorate of School Education, relocate DUDA in Tuensang, 33% job reservation on the basis of annual vacancies and to initiate diplomacy with the governments of India and Myanmar to enable economic relation between the Nagas and Myanmar counterparts.

This was disclosed by the chairperson of All India Congress Committee (AICC) media and publicity department, Pawan Khera, during a press conference held at Shunammite Inn, Dimapur, on Tuesday. He informed that the objectives were part of the Congress manifesto.

Khera also mentioned that the manifesto endeavours to cover every section of the society including 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies (ULB), INR 3000 per month old age pension, fortification of resources in eastern districts, payment of 100% MGNREGA, loans for higher education at zero interest rates, clean drinking water and sanitation facilities for all urban and rural areas.

Khera also claimed that Congress-led government was the first which agreed to hold talks with the Naga underground groups at the highest level — at the Prime Minister’s level. He stated that the Congress has always had an open heart and transparent approach of strategic resolution towards the peace loving people of Nagaland.

He further maintained that it was impossible to look away from the procrastination and dilatory tactics that has ever been at the core of modus operandi of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN).

Meanwhile, president of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), K Therie, has accused the Naga intellectuals of losing independent mind to decide the future but have become slaves of money and power.

He lashed out at those candidates who rush to political parties which have no presence in Nagaland. He alleged that many candidates prefer those parties that are close to the chair of money.

Also addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan in Kohima on February 6, Khera has expressed confidence of the Congress ‘forming the government’ and changing the electoral record in Nagaland.

Khera insisted that the NDPP-BJP-led government in the state ‘need to be defeated.’  He alleged that the kind of corruption prevalent in Nagaland cannot be allowed as the youth of the state need jobs and need ‘clean administration.’ He added that the main agenda of the Congress party is ‘pro-people government’ and a government that depends on the people.

“We will definitely be forming the government and is absolutely confident of changing the electoral record of Nagaland that has been visible for the last two/ three elections,” Khera said.

“In the last eight and half years, people trusted Prime Minister Narendra Modi thinking he will solve the problems of Nagaland. They thought that AFSPA will be removed but it is still there – situation is still not normal,” he alleged.

He went on to claim that Amit Shah’s announcement to create a ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ for the Eastern Nagaland was another false promise just to get vote for the BJP in the ensuing assembly election.

Alleging that the NDPP, NPF and BJP together have ‘looted’ the state in the last 20 years, Khera said the time has come for the people of Nagaland to not allow NDPP-BJP government take their trust for a ride.

The Congress, therefore, appealed to the voters to vote wisely keeping in mind the ‘unfulfilled promises’ made by the present-day governments and to ensure their ‘dark rule’ comes to an end.