NPP politicising pandemic in most irresponsible manner — NDPP

Dimapur, June 6 (EMN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) on Saturday expressed shock at the open memorandum issued by the president and the general secretary of the Nagaland state unit of National People’s Party (NPP).

In a statement issued on Saturday, the NDPP described the said memorandum as being packed with negative criticism, misinformation and personalised attacks, which is totally unbecoming of a responsible political party.

“Instead of appreciating the good works of all agencies that have tirelessly worked for the people during this time of pandemic crisis, the NPP have tried to politicise the pandemic in the most irresponsible manner. The party leaders are obviously unaware of the various activities of the Nagaland government and the tremendous efforts being made by the government machineries. This is a time to motivate and encourage each other, unite as one common people and face the challenges together, not try to gain cheap political mileage by making unfounded allegations and making personalised attacks in irresponsible manner.

“The NDPP would like to assure the Naga people that the government is walking more than the extra mile through the efforts of all concerned agencies and departments to ensure that the present crisis is faced in the best possible manner. Government officials, frontline workers, volunteers and civil society leaders are working round the clock and late into every night in their tireless efforts in serving the people. Rest assured that the state cabinet and the chief minister are consulting health experts, senior doctors and experienced administrators in overcoming the challenges. The decisions of the state government are not taken in an emotional manner or based on unreasonable demands but all decisions are taken after scientific considerations, keeping technical requirements, and the interest of the people in mind. The high flying leaders of the NPP must understand that the present global situation is a crisis of many layers. While it is a medical crisis, it is also a humanitarian and logistical emergency that
touches so many unforeseen sectors. All these sectors need to be approached with reasonability keeping in mind ground realities,” read the statement.

It suggested that the NPP leaders would do well to look inwards and self-introspect instead of making wild allegations, which have no basis or any content.

Perhaps they should first look at states where their party is leading, and observe if those states have done as much, the NDPP retorted.

“Perhaps the NPP leaders should also first consider if it is ethically and morally right for the head of educational institutions, especially schools, to be political activists, leave alone being political party leaders. It is unfortunate that while on one hand certain leaders are running educational institutions, which mould young minds, and on the other hand, they make polarising statements that are unfounded and unbecoming of responsible citizens.

“The demand of these NPP leaders for the leadership of the PDA government to step down in condemned and rejected. The PDA government and its leaders are democratically mandated and are running the affairs of the state on the basis of people’s mandate which has been strengthened in consecutive elections, unlike the NPP in Nagaland, of which the less said the better. The NPP leaders in Nagaland need to understand the grassroots and not be driven by social media posts of fake conmen and fugitives on the run who are afraid to legally face the law,” it stated.

The NDPP asserted that the PDA government has always had series of timely consultations with civil societies, mass-based organisations, NGOs and tribe hohos on all matters, especially during these Covid-19 times.

Consultations with stakeholders, engagements with tribe leaders and NGOs in decision making and collective responsibility has been the mantra of this government from day one and we will continue with the same approach even in the times ahead, it reiterated.

“The fight is collective and we believe in unity and oneness. We request these leaders to refrain from its attempts of polarisation and make attempts to be better-informed before making a fool of themselves in the eyes of the public. The PDA government will not leave any stone unturned in our efforts to serve the people with commitment and dedication and we trust that the people are intelligent enough not to be swayed by few unmandated and highflying persons living in their own paradise,” read the statement.

It may be mentioned that the Nagaland unit of NPP had on June 5 criticised the state government’s handling of Covid-19 crisis, claiming that the latter was not prepared and rash in bringing back stranded citizens of Nagaland from other states.

In a message directed at the chief minister, it had stated: “The NPP feels that your government has enough avenues to resort to but sadly enough, you have chosen politics and self-gain over reasoning and humanity. And therefore we demand legitimate answers from your government regarding all the above and we need them immediately as we have to be assured that we are in safe and worthy hands at this crucial juncture. If you cannot prove your worth of being a competent leader during this crisis you have totally failed us and as such as we humbly request you to step down and pave a way forward for a people-centric government and leadership so that the public don’t have to suffer any longer.”