NPCC responds to NPF on councillor poaching, interlocutor

DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has responded to the Naga People’s Front (NPF)’s clarification on the alleged poaching of opposition councillors and the appointment of Ajit Lal as the new interlocutor for the Indo-Naga political talks.
On the alleged poaching of councillors, NPCC questioned whether political decisions could be considered entirely voluntary if opposition councillors were denied development funds for their respective wards.
NPCC alleged that opposition councillors had been subjected to political pressure through the withholding of development funds, leaving them with little choice but to support the ruling establishment to secure development for their constituents.
It called upon the government to disclose ward-wise fund allocations and releases to establish whether opposition councillors had been treated fairly.
NPCC said development funds belonged to the people and should not become instruments of political bargaining.
On the appointment of the interlocutor, NPCC said the appointment of a retired civil servant was contrary to what it described as the interests and unanimous decision of the Naga people at the September 12, 2026 consultative meeting convened by the Nagaland government.
It said the meeting had unanimously resolved and appealed to the Government of India to elevate the ongoing dialogue and peace process to the highest political level by appointing an interlocutor of political or ministerial level who had the confidence and mandate of the government.
NPCC said the appointment of a retired civil servant had not fulfilled the Naga people’s desire for a trusted political leader or minister.
It alleged that the NPF leadership had “confused” the words “political/ministerial level” and welcomed a bureaucratic-level interlocutor, which the NPCC termed “disgraceful” and contrary to the hope and desire of the Naga people.
NPCC said the present stage of the Naga peace process was a political issue requiring the wisdom and experience of a political leader, rather than merely a matter of paperwork.
It urged NPF leaders to understand the present Naga political situation and recognise the need to address it with political will.
NPCC said a political leader was needed to bring all stakeholders together and administer a process leading to a political agreement between the Naga people and the Government of India without further delay.
It said the Naga people were awaiting formal implementation of the Political Agreement between the Naga Political Groups and the Government of India, as the negotiation phase had already been concluded.
NPCC left it to the “conscience and wisdom” of NPF leaders to determine whether they were satisfied or dissatisfied with the appointment of a retired civil servant as interlocutor.