Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election rally in Tuensang on Thursday, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) wasted no time in castigating his announcements at the rally.
Speaking at a press conference, AICC observer for Nagaland polls Pradyut Bordoloi noted there was nothing substantial and new in Modi’s announcement for the Naga people today.
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It is all a repetition of what Modi said four years ago during the Hornbill Festival at Kisama in 2014 which is very disappointing for the Naga people, Bordoloi said.
Recalling that the Prime Minister declared to lay special emphasis on North East region during his visit to the region in 2014, the former Assam Minister pointed out what Modi did immediately after returning to Delhi was he abrogated the North East Industrial Policy framed by the UPA government for enhancing economic activities, infrastructure development, creation of jobs in the region. “This was the last nail on the coffin of the North East,” he stated.
The AICC observer noted that there was nothing extraordinary in Modi’s declaration of 8000 houses for 20 lakh-plus population of Nagaland, additional 500 kms of national highways which all were legacy of UPA government.
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Calling Modi a “liar of third order”, Bordoloi questioned the PM’s sincerity about North East region.
He “talks big” and repeats the same wherever he goes in the North East, the senior Congress leader spoke of Modi.
Bodoloi also alleged BJP-NDPP (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party) combined playing money and muscle power to “swamp” the Naga identity and ethos. He cited BJP-NDPP putting up advertisements in local newspapers spending lakhs of rupees everyday for the past one week. However, the AICC observer hoped the Naga people will uphold the democratic values.
According to him, the Election Commission of India is looking the other way, but added that the Congress party will always be vigilant.
Stating that the Congress wants free and fair polls in Nagaland, he said the party is committed to fulfill this, adding that it respects the aspirations of the Naga people.
Bordoloi went on to say that the Congress will put up a spirited fight though it has fielded only 18 candidates due to money constraints. However, replying to a query he admitted some loopholes in the party’s preparation for the Nagaland polls.
Another AICC observer for Nagaland polls Capt Praveen Davar said it is unbecoming of a Prime Minister to always tell lies and called the Modi government most corrupt government ever.
Alleging that BJP is bringing in Hindutva slogans to Nagaland and other parts of Northeast, Davar said it is dangerous to have Hindu ideology in a secular country.
He hoped the secular people of Nagaland will not allow the BJP to get a foothold in the State. He was also optimistic that the people of the 42 constituencies of Nagaland where the Congress has not put up candidates will vote for candidates of secular parties.
Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Capt GK Zhimomi was also present at the press conference.