Mokokchung, 16 April (MTNews): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has responded to a complaint lodged by the Indian National Congress (INC) on 15 April 2024 with the Chief Election Officer, Nagaland. The complaint alleges that supporters of the NDPP-BJP alliance supporters were preparing for booth capturing on the polling day, in certain assembly constituencies of the state.
In a vehement condemnation, the NDPP dismissed the complaint, asserting it holds no merit or basis. The party demanded that the INC substantiate its allegations with concrete evidence or issue a public apology for attempting to tarnish the image and reputation of the NDPP and BJP.
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The NDPP reiterated its commitment to democratic principles and established laws, emphasizing its stance against any practices contrary to democratic values, including booth capturing.
“The NDPP has never and will never be a party to any kind of practice that goes against the very fabric of democracy and the conduct of free and fair elections,” the party stated.
NDPP PRESS STATEMENT
The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is informed of the complaint made by the Indian National Congress (INC) on 15th April 2024 to the Chief Election Officer,Nagaland regarding “reports of NDPP-BJP alliance supporters preparing for booth capturing on the polling day, 19th April 2024” in certain assembly constituencies of the State. The NDPP vehemently condemns this complaint as it holds no merit or basis whatsoever and demands that the INC substantiate its allegations with concrete evidence or publicly apologize for trying to defame the image and name of the two political parties namely NDPP and BJP.
The NDPP is a political party duly recognized by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and strictly adheres to all the democratic norms as per the laws established. The party promotes and supports the conduct of free and fair elections as enshrined under the Constitution of India and will continue to stand for democracy and the process of democratically electing governments. The NDPP has never and will never be a party to any kind of practice that goes against the very fabric of democracy and the conduct of free and fair elections. Neither the Party nor any of our supporters condone, support or resort to such anti-democratic methods like booth capturing etc. The NDPP appeals to the electorates of Nagaland not to be swayed by such unsubstantiated allegations.
As the month-long campaign comes to an end, over the period of the campaign there have been opinions, views and comments aired on many platforms on issues and subjects that were directly or indirectly directed at the NDPP and the PDA. Nevertheless, the NDPP has refrained from reacting or responding since we believe and stand for the freedom of speech, thought and expression as enshrined under the Constitution of India. The NDPP being a political party that is Regional in identity with a global outlook continue to stand steadfast in our commitment to protect the rights and privileges of each and every citizen of Nagaland as enshrined under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India and will not compromise our Christian faith and belief as we work towards further uplifting our State and our people.
However, let us all remember that an election and the electoral battle are contested based on political ideologies and principles and not on religious and communal lines. To do so would be going against the Constitution of India and the very definition of democracy. Today, Nagaland is fortunate to have three candidates contesting the lone Lok Sabha seat who are all fellow believers in Christ. But it is very unfortunate that one of the candidates has been condemned and targeted along with the party he represents – the NDPP on religious lines. Religion knows no politics or political parties. Religion is an individual choice and that choice is safeguarded by the Constitution of India and no one can impose or enforce religion on any individual or individuals or oppose the choices they make.
Religious persecutions are happening all over the world and more so in India today we see the persecution of religious minorities particularly the Christian community. The NDPP has always been vocal against such acts of religious intolerance and will continue to oppose such acts in the days and years to come. However, in the present juncture, is it also not a form of religious intolerance/persecution that we are condemning fellow believers in Christ on religious lines? We the Nagas are known for our tolerance on many fronts including religion and today the NDPP calls upon all fellow believers to love and respect one another as we face yet another election which will conclude on the 19th of April 2024.
Therefore, on the eve of the campaign period for the elections to the lone Lok Sabha seat, the NDPP takes this opportunity to appeal to the electorates of the State to come out and exercise their universal adult franchises by casting their valuable votes conscientiously and not emotionally. The NDPP continues to be grateful to the people of Nagaland for having reposed their faith and confidence on the NDPP led PDA Government in the general elections of 2023. It is with this mandate that the NDPP led PDA alliance has put forward the candidature of Dr. Chumben Murry as the PDA consensus candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Therefore, let our actions today not allow history to judge us unkindly by going against that very mandate, but rather let history remember us as a people who have stood upright and steadfast and repose our mandate on the NDPP led PDA alliance and its candidate, Dr. Chumben Murry.
God bless Nagaland!
Kuknalim!
(Issued by NDPP Media & Communication Committee)