The opposition NPF in Nagaland on Tuesday accused newly formed PDA government led by Neiphiu Rio of attempting to snatch credit for something they had no hand in. It also alleged the new government today hogged the limelight for all the wrong reasons.
The NPF issued a statement on Tuesday while referring to media reports that the PDA government led by Rio has announced some major changes in recruitment and composition rules of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC).
The party opined it is imperative to understand the sequence of how these amendments and reforms in the recruitment rules of NPSC came about and under whose leadership it was passed.
Recalling that the PSAN (Public Service Aspirants of Nagaland) group, comprising young and dynamic civil service aspirants, had voiced out for change in the NPSC recruitment rules, the statement said the then Chief Minister TR Zeliang at a Cabinet meeting in December 2017 approved the demands of the PSAN group along with the much demanded Lokayukta Bill 2015.
“Now for the unabashed PDA government to hijack the good deeds of the past NPF-led government is most obnoxious,” the NPF said. The party is also of the view that as much as the credit for bringing about transparency and meritocracy in the highest recruitment body of Nagaland State should go to the daring and wise decision of the then Chief Minister Zeliang, the efforts and sacrifices of the PSAN and other groups cannot be undermined.
“To think that such reforms could be initiated even before the PDA could settle its internal disputes arising out of portfolio distribution and without convening a single sitting of the Cabinet to discuss the issue, is beyond any sensible person’s imagination,” the NPF statement said.
On the “Change is Coming” mantra of the PDA, the party said it must be manifested in reality while refraining from stealing accolades for things they have not done.
Maintaining that it is always ready to play the role of a constructive opposition for the welfare and development of the state, the NPF sought to know whether the PDA government is willing to work in accordance with the wishes and desires of the public.
“A puppet leader cannot lead his people, the logic of which is self-explanatory in the Rio setup,” it said.
Stating that to be a leader is to be able to sacrifice for one’s flock with focus on the welfare of one’s followers, the NPF said Rio’s ‘Leading from the front’ policy without caring to look back and pacify his flock will sooner or later give room for his followers to desert him completely.