NPPC cautions Nagas against BJP’s agenda

Dimapur, Sep. 14 (EMN): President of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), K Therie, has cautioned the Nagas to be wary of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Hindutva agenda which has not only created a religious divide in the nation but also distanced foreign nations for their persecution of Christians and other minority communities across the nation. Addressing a public meeting in Mokokchung town on September 14 as part of district tour attended by public of Ungma, Khensa and Mokokchung, Therie said the tour programme was undertaken to take the message of the dangers of communalism, corruption and mis-governance of the BJP. Stating that BJP’s Hindutva agenda has created a religious divide not only in the nation but has also distanced foreign nations for their persecution of Christians and other minority communities across the nation, Therie said BJP’s growing intolerance is resulting in deaths across the nation coupled with cow vigilantes and other pro-BJP vigilante groups. Terming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, as an illusionist, Therie said Modi’s promise of ‘acche din’ or ‘good days’ has landed the nation in one of the worst economic downtrends. “Instead of formulating progressive economic policies for economic growth of the nation and uplift the common man’s economy, the BJP government is relying on generating revenue by taxing the common man,” Therie pointed out. With dwindling revenue, Therie accused Modi of lifting subsidies on petroleum, diesel and cooking gas (LPG) besides levying high tax rates in order to cushion the economic blunder of demonetisation. Therie also said 17 political parties will form an alliance in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections across the nation to oust the BJP government in order to save the nation from further ruin. Reminding that NPCC is national in outlook but regional in content as enshrined in the 10-Point modalities, Therie appreciated the Ao community for producing great leaders who have led the Nagas. He said stalwarts will be called on duty to contest and appealed to Mokokchung district to elect members who can voice for the Nagas in the Assembly as well as in the nation adding that it is such candidates who can answer the call of the people, given the opportunity. Speaking on the 15 years of NPF led DAN government’s mis-governance including the recent multiple defections, Therie said another mandate to NPF would give them approval of corruption and mis-governance to further ruin the State. He appealed to the people of the district to read the election manifestoes of political parties to understand their policies and programmes. He also appealed to make a wise decision to vote clean candidates to the Assembly, who will provide a clean and God-fearing government. Therie appealed the youth, in particular, to heed the voice of elders and vote consciously in electing honest leaders. Stating that only the Congress can bring change desired by the people, he said the party is open to forming alliance with anyone except the BJP. Exuding confidence that Indo-Naga solution is possible, Therie said Congress stands by the resolution of NNO, the forerunner of the Congress, taken at Pfütsero in 1972 to ‘endeavour to solve the political problem through peaceful and constitutional means.’ Former minister and NPCC president, I Imkong, in his address, said the Congress party has been secular since Independence by promoting unity in diversity and bringing progressive growth to the nation. He has accused the BJP of bringing about destruction upon the nation through demonetisation, religious intolerance and persecution of Christians and other minorities in the nations. NPCC working president, P Ayang Aonok, recounted on progressive work undertaken by NPCC since the NNO days. He has accused the NPF government of desecrating democratic norms characterised by no work culture, backdoor appointments etc. Jonathan Ao, NPCC general secretary, has accused the NPF government of failing to deliver basic amnesties like roads, water and power supply, PDS, etc. He appealed to the gathering to give the Congress the opportunity to deliver the desire of the crying people. He also expressed gratitude to the gathering for attending the programme.