DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 18: With no Opposition party left in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) to red flag any transgressions, it has taken the President of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) K Therie ~ a Party with no representation in the NLA ~ to hit out at Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who had reportedly wondered, during a recent event, whether a constitutionally-elected Government or the civil society should run the State.
In a statement issued on Monday, Therie said that Rio has none but himself to blame for the situation.
“Since 2003 when he first became CM, he has only indulged in appeasing and empowering civil societies to such an extent that the authority of the Government has been severely compromised on countless occasions. The recent August 18 consultative meeting where the State Government empowered 14 tribes to settle the land dispute between two villages along Dimapur-Peren boundary is a prime example of how an elected Government abdicated its responsibility to civil societies in matters of governance”, he pointed out.
The NPCC chief also dismissed as “a bundle of contradictions” the Chief Minister’s justification that the Opposition-less United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was formed “for an early Naga solution”.
According to him, the “biased approach” of the Chief Minister towards different groups is well known and this is one of the major hindrances in hammering out the final agreement.
“When Government of India has announced that formal negotiations with all groups officially ended on 31st October 2019, the relentless attempt to keep the pot boiling is being watched by silent majority of the people in Nagaland”, he said.
Since all the 60 Legislators have come together under the banner of UDA and are professing their sincerity for an early Naga solution by playing the role of a facilitator, they should also be prepared to be held fully responsible in the event of any delay or breakdown in achieving final solution, he added.
“All Legislators are reminded that their numerous resolutions, both within and outside Legislative Assembly, committing to resign and pave the way for an early solution remain to be honoured despite ripening situation at hand”, said Therie.
On the Chief Minister expressing appreciation to “the tribal bodies for their unity in getting his party candidate elected” during the recent bye-election to 58 Shamator-Chessore Assembly Constituency, the NPCC President warned that Rio’s “successful manoeuvring with truckloads of promises and commitments will weigh on him in the days ahead”.
Contrary to what the Chief Minister thinks, he claimed, the Congress not fielding a candidate has got nothing to do with respecting the decision of the Government.
(Page News Service)
