Congress upset over announcement of Nagaland election date but to contest in all 60 seats

The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Wednesday expressed dismay over the Election Commission announcing the poll schedule for the state Assembly, saying that the people were expecting deferment of the poll in Nagaland to “implement the agreed political solution”. However, the party said it will contest in all 60 seats.

Speaking at a press conference held at Congress Bhavan in Dimapur, NPCC president K Therie stated that the announcement of election amid high expectation of implementation of political solution is a “painful slap to the people of Nagaland” and that “every single vote in Nagaland is betrayed”.

He alleged that the central and state governments had betrayed the people by not bringing solution to the Naga political issue, while recounting the statement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi eight years ago that “Naga political problem has been resolved”; BJP leader Ram Mahadev’s “election for solution” statement in 2018; and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s statement on “early solution”.

He went on to describe the United Democratic Alliance as “United Deceivers Alliance”. “They have not stopped assuring the people for early solution and that they are prepared to pave the way but they have not done anything as such,” he said while asking if they can say that they have not betrayed the people.

Stating that the people were, till the last hour, expecting the ECI to defer the election, Therie alleged the chief minister “knew that agreed political solution will not be implemented and election will be held”, which was why he went to Delhi for another seat-sharing pact with the BJP.

While claiming that there will be no political solution as long as the incumbent CM, NDPP and BJP are in power in the state, Therie said the announcement of poll date has betrayed the aspiration of the Naga people.

Willing to fight election, says Therie

In the meantime, Therie said that the Congress is ‘willing to fight and win this election to save the future of Nagaland and see that justice and equality is delivered’, while expressing fear of losing Article 371 (A) if the BJP returns to power in Nagaland.

When asked about the Congress’ strategy for the upcoming election, he replied that the party is currently negotiating with few political parties and will be finalised soon.

On the meeting with the NPF, he said that “to our understanding they are considering the issue as we have no differences in the idea of secular government”.  

On the stand of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) not to take part in the electoral process, Therie said that since the poll date has been announced, ‘we all have no option but to cooperate and that we will have to wait and see the reaction of ENPO since the ECI has announced the date’.

NPCC Vice President, Bobby Panicker, declared that the party will not leave any seats uncontested in the upcoming election and fill all the 60 Assembly constituencies.

Meamwhile, AICC in-charge of Nagaland, Ranajit Banerjee, alleged that the NDPP-BJP lied about finishing the four-lane National Highway from Dimapur to Kohima and about increasing power consumption and providing electricity. Essentially, for five years, they have fooled the people in bringing political solution which all Nagas deserve and use that as a camouflage to ensure that all fund essential for development goes to their coffers, he alleged.