Nagaland Congress slams NDPP–NPF merger, terms it ‘headline management’

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has criticised the Naga People’s Front (NPF) for formally joining the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)-led People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government, and the possible merger between the NDPP and NPF, terming the move “another masterstroke in headline management by ideologically bankrupt leaders.”

In a statement issued on Friday, the NPCC alleged that the leaders of both regional parties have “repeatedly switched political allegiances and floated new outfits in pursuit of power” over the past two decades.

The party stated that the NPF’s entry into the PDA government has resulted in Nagaland once again being governed by an opposition-less government.

Also read: Nagaland: NDPP convention on Saturday to define party’s next move

It described the development as “unfortunate,” stating that no legislator in the state “possesses the moral and ethical fortitude to stand in opposition and represent the voice of the people.”

The NPCC further criticised what it called the “recycling of rhetorical sloganeering” under the pretext of facilitating the Naga peace process. “This is the time for accountability, not for indulging in rhetorical slogans,” it stated.

Referring to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s earlier assurance to deliver a “Naga political solution” within three months of assuming power 23 years ago, the Congress alleged that his government has instead presided over “two decades of incompetence, corruption, and failure.”

“The familiar jumlabaazi they are attempting to pull off once again will not work, because the people of Nagaland can now see through the smokescreen,” the statement read.

The NPCC further asserted that regardless of whether the government is led by the NDPP, NPF, or a merged entity, “the outcome will remain the same — the continuation of a regime that epitomises systemic corruption and has consistently supported the divisive policies of the BJP both at the Centre and in the state.”