Mokokchung, 10 April (MTNews): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has strongly criticized remarks made by Chief Minister Rio during a campaign coordination meeting of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) on 7 April. The NPCC condemned the remarks as “immature and baseless,” highlighting concerns over the treatment of minorities in India and calling out what they perceive as “belittlement of opposition candidates”.
In a scathing rebuke, the NPCC denounced Chief Minister Rio’s comments, accusing him of turning a blind eye to documented instances of discriminatory treatment against minorities in India, including the Christian community. The state Congress party emphasized the Chief Minister’s apparent support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite widespread criticism of the party’s policies, especially regarding minority rights.
“The fact that he continues to be one of the most ardent apologists of the BJP in the face of such evidence backed universal censorship speaks volumes about the weight of his assurance when he states that he’ll never compromise the faith and identity of the Nagas,” stated the NPCC through its Communication Cell.
Furthermore, the Congress expressed dismay at the language used by Chief Minister Rio to undermine the candidature of his opponents. They deemed such language as unbecoming of his high office and expressed hope for a more respectful discourse in future campaigning.
“With such a long and eventful political profile under his belt, he of all people should know that a weak or strong candidature will be decided on counting day, by the electorate, not by the subjective views of an individual,” added the NPCC.
The Congress also called for respect for the democratic process and urged its opponent candidates to engage in a free, fair and clean campaign.
On the allegations of past misuse of Article 356 by previous Congress governments, the NPCC said that it “looks like a traffic offense in comparison to the wholesale and brazen misuse of state apparatus under the Modi government”.
“We respect the will of the voters and have high hope that the people of Nagaland will give a clear and strong mandate in favour of the Congress Party this time around,” the NPCC added.