Guwahati: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that the Narendra Modi government lacked the political will necessary to put the answers to the Naga political problem into effect.
Speaking at an election rally on February 21 in the late afternoon, Kharge remembered that Prime Minister Modi had said on August 3, 2015, that the Naga issue had been settled with the signing of the “Naga Accord,” afterwards known as the “Framework Agreement.”
“Nearly eight years down the line, this has become an empty boast. There is nothing on the ground,” he said.
He claimed that despite calls from various civil organisations, particularly the All Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation, for the adoption of political solutions, the state government is currently engaging in delay tactics under the justification that additional negotiations are required. He asserted that the Nagaland people must be informed of the chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s true intentions.
He claimed that the 41-page BJP manifesto for Nagaland did not even mention this “topical concern” at all.
According to Kharge, the process to find a resolution to the Naga political issue had actually been started by Congress.
“Even now, this is one of the top-most commitments of the Congress party in our manifesto,” he said.
He claimed that the BJP is steadfastly committed to dividing Nagaland and repealing Article 371(A), which will make it easier to adopt the Uniform Civil Code, the cornerstone of the party’s divisive agenda.
Kharge asserted that the politics of the BJP are intended at eradicating the indigenous and distinctive culture of the Nagas and that the people of Nagaland must resist this assault on their culture as well as the politics of polarisation and hatred.
On the Congress’ contribution to Nagaland’s growth, the Congress president noted that Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru stated in Parliament on August 1, 1959, his desire to create the state of Nagaland, which was formally established on December 1, 1963. He claimed that the governments led by the Congress were the ones who initially consented to discuss the Naga issue at the highest level.
“For Congress, the welfare of the state of Nagaland has always been of utmost priority and we assure you it will always be so,” he said.
Kharge cited the failures of the BJP-NDPP state government when he claimed that while the high court buildings in Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura were finished in 2013, the high court building in Nagaland was still under construction when the UPA government also laid the foundation stone for the three other states’ high courts in 2007.
The completion and operation of the state’s intended medical colleges have also suffered as a result of the state government’s failure, he added.
Kharge also listed the pledges made by the Congress Party for the development of eastern Nagaland. If elected, Kharge promised to carry out seven of these promises, including the 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies and the Rs 3,000 monthly old age pension for elderly persons.
Kharge also discussed the economy and other pressing national issues, including as excessive unemployment, rising inflation, and attacks on democratic institutions.