The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has appealed to the electorate to vote consciously in the February 27 Assembly elections as it will be foolish to expect change from Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and BJP who have “completely ruined Nagaland’s culture, infrastructure and systems”.
“Perhaps the change BJP-NDPP will bring will only be to collectively loot the state for another five years and leave a legacy of debt,” NPCC president K Therie said in a statement on Friday.
The Pradesh Congress chief emphasized that a God-fearing, secular-minded government must be installed to salvage Nagaland’s society from transforming into Hindutva.
“Congress wants the Electoral College to stand in this election for secularism, for a God-fearing, corruption-free government and for political solution,” Therie stated. He asserted that the Congress is committed to stand for these virtues and will act as a deterrent in the new State Assembly.
Therie said although Prime Minister Narendra Modi promises a corruption-free government, he is in alliance with the “most corrupt leaders of previous government in the state”.
“His promises of development will not fool the people of Nagaland, for the people have not forgotten the empty promises he has been making since 2014. Narendra Modi will not be in office anymore after May 2019 and forever, India is tired of his false promises,” the NPCC chief said.
According to Therie, it will also be foolish to vote for the “Hindutva mission”. “Your prayer is to stop and protect persecution of Christians and therefore, your vote should not be cast for the persecutors of Christians and other minorities,” he stated.
Observing that Nagaland’s electorate has “truly changed”, he said the democratic process of electing representatives through conscious voting has now changed to that of “who can pay more”.
“We have lost inherent values of honesty, decency and Christian principles. Accepting and demanding cash and vehicles have become the new trend,” Therie noted.
He also felt the two elections of 2008, 2013 and corrupt governance have transformed the people into a culture of fulfilling their aspirations before the election itself as they do not believe they will see their MLAs after election.
Also noting that in other nations, people elect their representatives based on their standings on issues and prospects of the future, the NPCC president said in the context of Nagaland, 80% or more voters consider corruption as a normal system.
“They do not believe in issues or think of the future. They only think of getting some quick cash or material benefit. This is most unfortunate for Nagaland,” he added.