Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEP 28 (NPN): State BJP president Benjamin Yepthomi has backed veteran leader and former chief minister and governor Dr S.C. Jamir’s recent remarks on the Naga political issue, saying Jamir was “100% correct” on the specific issue despite their political differences.
Addressing a press conference at his residence in Dimapur on Monday, Yepthomi was asked about the ongoing war of words following remarks by NSCN (I-M) leaders against Jamir.
He said he stood by Jamir’s statement despite Jamir being associated with the Congress and himself representing the BJP.
“I am not saying he is infallible, none of us are perfect; only God is perfect,” Yepthomi said, while stressing that what Jamir had articulated on the issue was correct.
He said political affiliation should not determine whether one supported or opposed a statement, adding that “when someone speaks the truth, they are right”.
Yepthomi also claimed that 70% of the 60 Nagaland Legislative Assembly legislators privately agreed with Jamir’s statement but were hesitant to express their views publicly.
“In our 60-member Assembly, 70% of the legislators know in their hearts that Dr S.C. Jamir is speaking the truth, yet many remain hesitant to speak out openly,” he said.
Questioning what he described as fear among people to speak openly, Yepthomi said elected representatives and political leaders should have the courage to speak the truth if they genuinely wanted systemic change.
He also endorsed the positions taken by the Ao Senden and Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) amid the ongoing controversy over Jamir’s remarks.
Yepthomi said no single group or faction could claim exclusive ownership over the future of the Naga people and called upon political leaders to come forward and express their views honestly.
Referring to Jamir’s long tenure as chief minister, Yepthomi acknowledged that the veteran leader might have made mistakes during his political career but maintained that this did not detract from the correctness of his position on the particular issue.
On spurious
liquor deaths
Asked about the deaths of nearly 20 people in the State reportedly after consuming alleged spurious liquor, Yepthomi questioned the usefulness of constituting a Special Investigation Team, claiming that its findings could be manipulated.
He said the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act must either be lifted or strictly enforced.
Yepthomi also questioned the rationale for having two State government-authorised liquor warehouses while the NLTP Act remained in force.