Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has strongly condemned to the killing of farmers at Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh on October 3 and detention of AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra by UP police.
Priyanka was detained in Sitapur on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri, where eight people died and several others were injured. Four of the dead were farmers, allegedly knocked down by vehicles driven by BJP workers travelling to welcome UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya to an event in the area.
Addressing a press conference at Tourist Lodge here Tuesday, NPCC president K Therie said that it was every citizen’s duty to react and condemn the incident at Lakimpur Kheri, which he termed “wilful intent” and “arrogant”.
Accusing the BJP of having no feeling for the people, state Congress chief said that even though farmers were the owner of the elected government, BJP government has been a “deadwood”.
“We have been talking about price hike, religious divide, caste division, economic failures, but still BJP continues to sell the properties that have been created by congress in the last 60 years”.
He alleged that BJP government has sold almost over 34 airports, over 150 railway stations, over 4000 broad gauge railway lines, over 6000 oil pipelines, adding that almost all the industries were sold out. Therie further claimed that the three farm bills had been introduced in the interest of a few billionaires, who he said could capture the market and deprive the farmers and middlemen.
“The attitude of the BJP government is not for the people but for the few, for the rich and not for the poor,” Therie added. He said the irony of democracy was that “we are given one time to vote in five years and thereby if we continue to make the same mistake it will be one of the biggest blunders in the history of democracy.”
Further, questioning BJP’s political will to resolve the Naga political problem, Therie queried why did government recognise 13 factions and opened nine ceasefire monitoring cells in Dimapur.
On the detention of Priyanka without an FIR, Therie said that she wanted to pay homage to the departed soul and console the family members, but prevented by the UP government, which he described as “embarrassment”.
Therie said that unlike the BJP, Congress had concern for the people and security of life and property. NPCC president said that the present government has shielded themselves in a thick wall and did not hear anything from outside.
He alleged that BJP and that BJP “Bhakts” did not mind taking lives because “they have no affection.” “They are for themselves and do not mind running the government till the time they have”.
NPCC chief has, therefore, suggested that it was time for the people to decide because in five-year time, they would be given only one opportunity.
Therie also called upon the people to remove BJP government in the forthcoming election, adding that only vote can change the present situation.
He expressed hope that justice be delivered to the victims of the Lakimpur incident.
It may be mentioned that the NPCC had organized candle light march on October 4, from Hotel Saramati to Dimapur Congress Committee (DCC) office, jointly organized by Dimapur DCC, Seva Dal, Youth Congress, Mahila, NSUI, Kisan Cell and minority department.