Substantiate allegations with concrete evidence or apologise, NDPP to Congress

DIMAPUR — The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has strongly condemned the allegations of planned ‘booth capturing’ made by the Congress party, in a complaint to the Nagaland Chief Election Officer (CEO).

The complaint ‘holds no merit or basis’, it said in a press statement on Tuesday, demanding the Congress to substantiate its allegations with concrete evidence or publicly apologise for trying to defame the image and name of the two political parties — NDPP and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Stating that it is a political party duly recognised by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the NDPP asserted that it adheres to all the democratic norms as per the laws established.

“The NDPP has never and will never be a party to any kind of practice that goes against the very fabric of democracy and the conduct of free and fair elections. Neither the party nor any of our supporters condone, support or resort to such anti-democratic methods like booth capturing, etc.,” the statement read.

The party said that views and comments have been aired on many platforms on issues and subjects that were directly or indirectly directed at the NDPP and the PDA during the month-long campaign but it refrained from reacting or responding since, “we believe and stand for the freedom of speech, thought, and expression”.

It appealed to the electorate to not be swayed by such unsubstantiated allegations.

The NDPP being a political party that is regional in identity with a global outlook, continues to stand steadfast in its commitment to protect the rights and privileges of each and every citizen of Nagaland as enshrined under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India and will not compromise our Christian faith and belief as we work towards further uplifting our state and our people, it added.

Further, stating that the electoral battle is contested based on political ideologies and principles and not on religious and communal lines, the NDPP expressed concern over the alleged targeting and condemnation of its candidate, Dr. Chumben Murry, as well as the party on religious lines.

“Religion knows no politics or political parties. Religion is an individual choice and that choice is safeguarded by the Constitution of India and no one can impose or enforce religion on any individual or individuals or oppose the choices they make,” it stated.

“Religious persecutions are happening all over the world and more so in India today we see the persecution of religious minorities particularly the Christian community,” it said, adding that “the NDPP has always been vocal against such acts of religious intolerance and will continue to oppose such acts in the days and years to come”.

“However, in the present juncture, is it also not a form of religious intolerance/persecution that we are condemning fellow believers in Christ on religious lines? We the Nagas are known for our tolerance on many fronts including religion and today the NDPP calls upon all fellow believers to love and respect one another as we face yet another election,” it added.

Meanwhile, the NDPP appealed to the electorate of the state to exercise their universal adult franchise by casting their valuable votes conscientiously and not emotionally, while expressing its gratitude to the people of Nagaland for reposing their faith on the NDPP-led PDA government in the 2023 general elections.

“It is with this mandate that the NDPP led PDA alliance has put forward the candidature of Dr. Chumben Murry as the PDA consensus candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” it stated while requesting the people to repose their confidence on its candidate.