As the campaigning for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls concluded, the political atmosphere in Nagaland heated up with history of Naga political movement taking center stage between the BJP and Congress.
AICC Secretary and In-charge of Nagaland and Sikkim, Ranajit Mukherjee, along with senior Congress leader and former MP and stat legislator Chubatoshi Apok Jamir, condemned the recent remarks made by BJP legislator Imkong L Imchen. Imchen had stated that the Congress should seek forgiveness from the Nagas for the atrocities committed against them.
Addressing media persons in Dimapur, Mukherjee described Imchen’s statement as “distressing,” accusing the BJP of rewriting history to confuse the public. He claimed that the BJP’s dwindling voter base in Nagaland is the reason behind such statements. On the other hand, Jamir criticized Imchen’s remarks as “unbecoming,” emphasizing the need for citizens to safeguard democratic and secular values.
Jamir also reminded that it was under Congress that a political agreement between the Naga People’s Convention and the Government of India led to the creation of Nagaland Statehood.
In response, BJP National Spokesperson Mhonlumo Kikon accused the Congress party of neglecting the interests of the Nagas. Addressing a press conference in Dimapur, Kikon claimed that the Nehru-Gandhi family has consistently pursued anti-Naga policies. He pointed out that while Indira Gandhi attempted to amend the Indian Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that the BJP has no intention of altering it.
Kikon labeled the Shillong Accord, imposed by Indira Gandhi, as a policy error adversely affecting the Naga community. He also downplayed allegations of persecution against Christians and minorities, terming them as isolated incidents blown out of proportion.
Highlighting successful collaborations with the NDPP-led alliance government, Kikon urged support for the consensus candidate of the People’s Democratic Alliance. He emphasized the importance of having a representative who can effectively articulate Nagaland’s concerns in Parliament.
With the Lok Sabha elections around the corner, the political battle between the BJP and Congress in Nagaland showed no signs of cooling down, setting the stage for an intense electoral contest.