Chümoukedima, February 21 (MTNews): Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cheated the people of Nagaland on the vexed Naga political issue by not solving it and extending the contentious Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) after the Oting massacre.
Addressing an election rally in Diphupar village public ground in Chümoukedima, Kharge said the Modi Government in Delhi “does not have the political will” to implement the agreed solutions into effect.
“Prime Minister Modi announced on August 3, 2015, that the Naga issue has been resolved with the signing of the Framework Agreement. Nearly eight years down the line, this has become an empty promise,” Kharge said.
“Prime Minister Modi has cheated the people of Nagaland and the country as well,” he added.
The BJP-led government has been delaying the solution to the State’s issues despite setting deadlines besides ignoring the Oting incident to continue to declare Nagaland as a disturbed area and extend the AFSPA, he said.
“BJP is not serious about solving the Naga political issue, so much so that this topical issue does not even figure in their 41-page election manifesto,” he said, while stating that solution to the Naga political issue is ‘one of the topmost commitments of the Congress party’ in their manifesto. “Congress party will resolve the long-pending and delayed political solutions,” Kharge said.
The Congress chief also slammed the BJP and its ally, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) for trying to implement the “hate-driven” agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Nagaland.
“While Naga identity is your true pride, it is this identity that the NDPP, the BJP and its ideological mentor RSS have a problem with. They don’t want diversity, which is integral to tribal culture,” Kharge said.
“The BJP is hell-bent upon creating a divide within Nagaland and abrogating the provisions of Article 371A which will pave the way for the easy implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, which is the mainstay of the divisive agenda of the BJP,” he said.
“The BJP’s politics is aimed at destroying the indigenous and unique culture of Nagas. The people of Nagaland must stand against this attack on the culture of Nagaland and the politics of polarization and hatred,” Kharge warned.
Kharge also cautioned the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) about the “characteristic trait” of the BJP Government to make empty promises. Meanwhile, Kharge promised a slew of development projects for the ENPO area including a mini secretariat, directorate of school education and also assured to initiate dialogues between the Indian and Myanmar government if Congress gets the mandate of the people of Nagaland.
He accused the NDPP, BJP and NPF (Naga People’s Front) of looting Nagaland for the last 20 years by “mysteriously exhausting” Central funds meant for various development projects including the medical college.
The Congress president made a series of promises and assured several measures including implementation of 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies. He said the Congress will give old-age pension of Rs 3,000 per month.
The party said it will pay 100% wages under the MGNREGA scheme and ensure clean drinking water and sanitation for all rural and urban areas. He further announced that the party will give provision of loans for higher education at 0% interest rate.
Kharge also said compulsory sports training will be provided to all students after class 10, 12 exams.
