Political mudslinging continues unabated

Dimapur, Feb 14 (EMN): Political mudslinging between two national parties namely the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state continue unabated in their attempt to woo voters in the forthcoming state assembly elections. State BJP has termed as ‘amusing’ on the NPCC’s eagerness to reach out to NPF, once staunch rival, on the line of a so-called ‘secular front’ in the ensuing election. While noting that NPCC could set up only 18 candidates despite enormous efforts, state BJP has termed as it a desperate attempt, which is presently in ‘ICU and on the verge of the grave.’ Accusing the Congress of failing to deliver development upto the people’s expectation during its rule in the state, BJP media cell stated that the politics of previous Congress governments in the state was characterised by empty promises, rhetoric, bribery, publicity-stunt crowds and defections. On the Naga political issue, BJP claimed that the issue was kept in abeyance during the Dr. Manmohon Singh regime, adding that it was only after BJP came to power under Prime Minister Narendra Modi that talks have progressed expeditiously, decisively and now nearing conclusion by taking along all stakeholders. It claimed that BJP’s priority was to provide a stable government sans corruption. BJP also stated that it would endeavour to bring maximum development to the people in the shortest period. Responding to the allegations, NPCC retorted that India has survived as secular and democratic nation because of Congress party that thwarted the Hindutva agenda of the RSS for many years. NPCC stated that the growth and survival of BJP is fuelled by ‘communal and polarising politics.’ NPCC media cell today stated that the hard talks of the BJP on one nation one language one culture jeopardises the very existence of India as union of states. As far as Naga political issue is concerned, NPCC said it was the Congress which had always respected the sentiments of the people and had endeavoured to solve the problem through peaceful and constitutional means. Stating that Nagas do not need the divisive and communal agenda of the BJP, state Congress said their sinister agenda based on Hindutva philosophy has no place or respect for Nagas as people. It has questioned those Nagas in the BJP to clarify as to whether they are accepted as equals or as rank outsiders by the BJP-RSS high command. Also stating that the BJP in the garb of “development agenda” is slowly attempting to condition the minds of the populace, it reminded the people to be wary of the word ‘development,’ saying it only means “Development of Hindutva agenda” in BJP’s vocabulary.