Nagas feel betrayed by BJP: JD (U) chief

Janata Dal (United) national president and Lok Sabha MP, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said Nagas felt betrayed by BJP for not doing anything for the cause of Naga solution after having been in power in the State since 2018.
Addressing a gathering at the candidature declaration programme for Kitoho S Rotokha (5 Ghaspani II AC) at Dimapur Town Hall here on Sunday, he questioned the assurance given to Nagas by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the last Assembly election.
He asked on what grounds BJP would be seeking votes when it had done nothing for resolving the Naga political issue, and appealed to all to question its leaders where was the solution. Lalan assured that if Nagas extended support to JD(U) and enable it to have a say in the next government, peace would be restored in Nagaland.
Lalan further noted that the forthcoming election would be a deciding factor for Nagas to decide their future, assuring that JD (U) would fulfil its promises made to the people. He said whatever JD(U) promised would be executed, be it solution or whatever, and also claimed that his was the only party that could give solution and peace to Nagas.
Meanwhile, speaking on the achievements of Bihar chief minister and JD (U) chief minister Nitish Kumar, Singh claimed that all promises made by him were fulfilled like electrification and tap water connection to all households across villages across Bihar.
He claimed that under the leadership of Nitish, Bihar had the distinction of having the largest number of women police personnel in India and added that the government there had reserved 35% government services for women.
In his brief address, Rajya Sabha member Anil Hegde highlighted the works of prominent socialist Jayprakash Narayan, who had visited Nagaland and worked for welfare of Nagas and helped in signing Cease Fire Agreement on September 6, 1964.
He also accused BJP of not fulfilling its promise of solution and remarked, “Root of instability in the State is the failure to resolve the Naga political issue.”
Referring to the demand for a separate State, he reiterated JD (U)’s stand for unity and not division of Nagaland. He however expressed concern over lack of development in eastern part of the State and stressed balanced development.
In his brief address, JD(U) intending candidate Kitoho S Rotokha acknowledged all his supporters, party workers and central leadership for reposing their trust and confidence on him. Speaking on good governance and developmental activities in Bihar, he claimed that his reason to contest in the election was to ensure employment opportunities to youth and women.
“With or without winning the election, I have already started my work to provide employment to the youth and women,” he added.
JD (U) general secretary and party’s Northeast in-charge Afaque Ahmed Khan, former Bihar minister Sanjay Kumar Jha, State JD (U) president NSN Lotha and other State party leaders also addressed the gathering.
The programme was chaired by JD (U) State youth wing working president Anoto Swu, invocation offered by Nihoto Baptist Church pastor Mughalu Keyho and welcome address by JD (U) State youth wing vice-president Keneizelie Keyho.
Special number was presented by NK Naga, vote of thanks was given by party’s State secretary Obed Sumi and benediction offered by Thahekhu Village, Block 7 Fellowship, pastor Jetovi Chishi.
Later, interacting with media persons after the programme, Singh said JD (U) would be fielding only winnable candidates, but did not disclose the number of candidates the party would field, nor the constituencies from where it would be fielding candidates.
When asked if JD (U) would be a part of any coalition government in the State with BJP as an alliance partner, he sternly replied that his party would never align with BJP in forming government in any state.