NPF has ridiculed NDPP’s press communiqué that appeared in local dailies as “one-sided story” and “concocted version to defend its master from his sinking boat.”
Reiterating its allegation of poaching bid on its legislators by the ruling party, the opposition party in a rejoinder pointed out that NDPP supremo and chief minister Neiphiu Rio had on several occasions tried his best to play his “old game”. It, however, claimed that its MLAs never succumbed to his “old tricks.”
According to NPF, the current ruling dispensation was uncertain when its rule would come to a halt. It said Rio knew well that his coalition government could collapse any time if he could not please his masters.
Therefore, it was expected that with a handful of 17 MLAs, NDPP might having a tough time keeping vigil round the clock to keep its coalition partners intact, it added.
However, NPF asserted that it had time and again reiterated to play the role of a constructive opposition and work for the welfare of Naga people, adding that the party was never interested in toppling the PDA government as it would fall any moment on its own.
The opposition party also reiterated that regardless of sitting in treasury or opposition bench, all its 26 MLAs were intact and committed to work for the welfare of Naga society. Nonetheless, it once again reminded NDPP that the ruling coalition government’s doomsday was approaching fast.
Meanwhile, NPF said it was amused to see the NDPP-led PDA government’s silence over the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
When the whole region was against the Bill that would directly affect Nagaland and the entire North-eastern region and in spite of it knocking the government’s door time and again to remind how the Bill would greatly affect the State, the opposition party alleged that PDA government was tight-lipped and Rio turned a deaf ear to the issue.
Stating that even though Rio was least bothered with the future of Naga people, the opposition party asserted that Nagas would not be taken for a ride or convinced by his silence.
Therefore, it called upon him that, even though he was least bothered as an individual over the Bill, as head of the State he should make his government’s stand clear on such a burning issue for the sake of people’s welfare. It also suggested the ruling party not to divert the issue just for the sake of the publicity, but to work tirelessly for Naga people.