Newly floated Rising People’s Party (RPP), which received recognition from the Election Commission of India (ECI) on June 6 last, Saturday claimed that every political party in the state including regional or national parties had failed the Naga people.
Addressing a press conference at Tourist Lodge, here Saturday, RPP president Joel Naga maintained that the emergence of RPP was not about formation of a new party but an alternate party so as to provide better platforms to the Nagas. He, however, said that “It is up to the people, whether to reject us or accept us.”
Joel Naga stated that the party was determined to bring “real change”, “ideal changes” and not ‘rhetoric’, adding that the party members were ready to sacrifice for change.
On the formation of the party, RPP president said that the party’s constitution adopted on October 2, 2020, Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, adding that the party’s vision was identical to the philosophy of Gandhi—vision of self-reliance, sacrifice and non-violence.
Accusing the present political parties of disappointing the Nagas, Joel Naga stated that the system has “failed us” and that there was injustice misappropriation, and corruption everywhere. He also stated that “kushi kushi” culture was very much prevalent in the state.
Asserting that governance was beyond dispensing monthly salaries of government employees, the RPP chief said good governance included the fight against corruption, creation of a merit-based society and the emergence of a culture of accountability and transparency in governance itself.
On women empowerment and representations in the assembly, Joel Naga said that women constituted almost 50% of the population in the state and that they deserved to be heard. He said it was time women should be in positions of power, inside the legislative assemblies, part of decision-making processes and have their say in developmental processes.
Asked about the party’s stand on illegal taxation, RPP stated that one of party’s core focus was rule of law. He said that the party would be against anything that was detrimental to the existence or well-being of the citizens and would uphold the law. He, however, maintained that the party would wait for the response of the state government with regard to illegal taxation.
Another working member of the party stated that illegal taxation was not only hampering the entrepreneurs in Nagaland, but also the banks. He said banks have the hesitancy to provide loans to Naga entrepreneurs with the excuse of high level of Non-Performing Assets (NPA).
However, he said that if RTI was to be filed, the percentage of NPA in Nagaland was no different as any other states.
On the Naga political issue, Joel Naga asserted that when even the state government was not in the picture, RPP to comment on the issue was “irrelevant”. RPP president, however, said that as a Naga, he hoped that peace talks should expedite and come to conclusion.
Meanwhile, Joel Naga informed that the party intended to set up candidates in 2023 assembly elections and affirmed that the party was looking for only fresh faces.