Chingwang Konyak, Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Alliance (PDA), has extended an invitation to various political parties to participate in a meeting with the 16th Finance Commission of India on November 5, 2024. The meeting, set to take place at Hotel Vivor in Kohima, aims to allow Nagaland’s political leaders to discuss financial matters directly with the Commission, a constitutional body appointed by the President of India under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.
The invitation, issued by Konyak, requests each party to attend or send a representative, and to bring written submissions to streamline discussions. Parties were also encouraged to review the terms of reference for the meeting, available on the Finance Commission’s official website. Konyak’s letter additionally requests that each party confirm their attendee for an official submission to the Commission.
However, the manner in which the invitation was issued has drawn criticism. Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) Vice President GK Zhimomi voiced his objections, calling it “inappropriate” for Konyak, as PDA Chairman, to include the Congress among those listed as invited by the PDA. Zhimomi contended that the invitation should have come from the state government, not from the chairman of the ruling alliance, highlighting concerns about neutrality in state matters.
“Inviting the INC/NPCC President to meet 16th Finance Commission officials during their visit to Nagaland should come from the state government and not from the Chairman of the ruling party alliance called PDA,” Zhimomi stated.