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Dimapur, July 15 (EMN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on Wednesday stated that the logic of the opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) party’s attribution to the failure of the state government for the rising numbers of Covid-19 positive cases was not only ‘absurd but is bordering on insanity.’
NDPP, in a press statement contended that if the rising numbers of positive cases are to be attributed to the failure of the government, then people across the world should be 'clamouring for their respective governments to step down since it is common knowledge how the number of positive Covid-19 cases are rising globally everyday.' It accused the NPF of being 'blinded with their hunger' to take over the government that they fail to see and accept the global information and data on the current pandemic that has gripped the world.
NDPP has also lambasted the NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu for his support to the stand taken by NPF for the government to step down. NDPP was surprised that one of the octogenarian politicians in Nagaland and a former chief minister would defend and support such a stand adding it was 'expected of him to be aware that governments cannot be made to step down at the whims and fancies of the opposition.'
It advised the NPF led by its president to restudy the Constitution of India and reacquaint themselves on the procedures laid down on how our democracy functions.
While reminding the NP's continued claim on it stands for the Naga political issue, NDPP however stated that in the present matter, the NPF has not made its stand clear on the Naga political issue and the ongoing peace process. It accused the NPF of steering clear of the political dynamics of the issue while the Naga civil society, tribal organisations and mass-based leaders have expressed their opinions and concerns in an outspoken manner.
It asked if the NPF agrees with the terminology of the Naga political groups and is in support of a political solution that is honourable, acceptable to the people and a negotiated solution that ensures lasting peace by acknowledging the political rights of the Nagas. It stated that merely claiming as the oldest party no longer holds good in the eyes of the people.
Also mentioning that the governor had, at no time, mentioned that he had lost his confidence on the government, NDPP stated that such callous statements made by the 'so-called oldest regional party was unbecoming and immature.' Stating that the NDPP led PDA welcomes constructive criticisms in order to bring about good governance and welfare to the people, it however stated that the party would not remain silent when such criticisms are based on 'lies and deception.'
Also rebutting the views of the former chief minister and former governor of Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha, Dr. SC Jamir on Article 371A (1) (b), NDPP has questioned if he wanted to make Nagaland an 'unequal state of the Indian union or roll back the clock of history by taking Nagaland back to the 50s and 60s.'
“As a former democratically elected head of state and an active proponent for peace, he for one should stand up for democracy by supporting the stand of the government that the said clause under Article 371A is redundant in today’s context,” the statement read.
In this regard, NDPP stated that the 12th House of the NLA had passed a resolution on December 17, 2013, stating that Article 371A (1) (b) of the Constitution of India was redundant in Nagaland considering the vast improvements in the law and order and insurgency related activities following the cease fire between the GoI and the Naga national political groups and the peace talks leading towards a final settlement of the Naga issue.
It hoped that leaders like Dr. Jamir would defend the right for democracy and together work towards strengthening the state as an equal member of the great Union of India.