Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has reacted sharply to various charges made by the opposition NPF over the issue of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill which has been a contentious and controversial issue in the region in general and Nagaland in particular.
NDPP, through its media and communication committee asserted that the PDA coalition in the state had never supported the CAB at any point of time but stood firm for protecting the rights and privileges of Naga people and Nagaland under Article 371A(A).
NDPP said that in view of Nagaland being protected under Article 371(A), the PDA had written to the union home minister on occasions to convey the decision of the cabinet that the CAB will not be applicable in Nagaland. On the other hand, NDPP has taken on NPF for publicly claiming that Article 371(A) does not offer protection from CAB. Terming NPF’s stand as “extremely dangerous” and detrimental to the future of Nagas, NDPP asked what NPF did when the draft CAB bill was being drafted in 2016 when the latter was running the government under T.R. Zeliang, the present leader of opposition?
NDPP said the then NPF-led DAN government had conveniently chosen to remain silent that time in order to allow the draft CAB to be sent to the union cabinet and then to be tabled before the two houses of parliament.
It is the same NPF led by its party president and leader of opposition who were talking as though both of them are guardians of Naga people but who, by their silence in 2016 are guilty of placing the Nagas to face the issue today, it said.
NDPP also cited the speech by leader of opposition at Guwahati on January 28 at the NE Regional party meeting where he purportedly stated that “Article 371 A does not cover everything”. NDDP asked whether the leader of opposition NPF was elected to “demean and belittle the provisions of Article 371(A)” or had people elected him to safeguard their rights as enshrined under Article 371(A).
NDPP also recalled that at the height of the agitation over ULB election, NPF under T.R. Zeliang and Dr. Shürhozelie had maintained that Art.371(A) does not protect Nagas from holding ULB elections
NDPP warned that if the speech made by Zeliang in the presence of all North East regional parties in Guwahati, in belittling Article 371(A) by NPF, in any way affect the Art.371(A), then people would hold NPF led by its president and legislators responsible for “this act of betrayal of the Naga people.”
NDPP also took strong exception to the allegation by NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie that Lok Sabha MP from NDPP, Tokheho Yepthomi had voted in favour of CAB on January 8, in parliament and so should now withdraw his vote.
NDPP has demanded proof and evidence from NPF that Tokheho voted on that day in favour or CAB and if not, then it should tender public apology or else face legal action for defaming the name and reputation of the lone Lok Sabha MP.
It also hit out at NPF for boycotting and abstaining from all important occasions after the defeat in the 2018 election. NDDP reiterated that people should now ask NPF about its intention and also question its integrity for boycotting and abstaining from the important consultative meeting with various NGOs to deliberate on CAB on January 31.
Pointing to the CEC meeting of NPF on January 31, NDPP said instead of bringing out its visions and policies and future course of actions, the NPF only focussed on insulting the ruling PDA government It challenged NPF that if it was committed to serve people, then it should voice their concerns and debate on issue so as to come to a logical conclusion in order to project a united Nagaland before the rest of India instead of showing a grim picture of a divided people.
NDDP also took on NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie for accusing NDPP of “having stolen” the motto “Facta Non Verba” and getting away with it. NDPP termed Dr. Shürhozelie’s attention to NDPP motto as “ignorance and petty mindedness” a trait of the NPF for which Naga voters have rejected it.
NDPP reaffirmed its commitment on Article 371(A) as the only protection for Naga customs, traditions, practices, lands and resources till a final solution to the Naga issue was arrived at.
It also criticised the statement made by former chief minister and governor Dr. S.C .Jamir, the sole surviving signatory of the 16 Point Agreement who had purportedly stated that “it is wrong to say Article 371A and ILP protects us from CAB.” NDPP said the statement was a surprise and also a disappointment since a person who was and is a part of history of Nagaland, had decided to start questioning the provisions of Article 371(A).
Also on various statements made by Congress (NPCC) the NDPP said the former failed to win even a seat during the recent election and so has no right to criticise a popularly elected government. Instead, the Congress should be asked as to what did it do when the state was shifted from the MEA to MHA and when funding pattern was changed?