Nagaland Congress issues tickets to candidates

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 21 (EMN): The Nagaland Pradesh Committee (NPCC) on Thursday distributed tickets to KL Chishi and Alem Jongshi, the party’s respective Lok Sahba and 26-Aonglenden assembly constituency candidates, here at Congress Bhavan in Kohima.

The president of NPCC K Therie, in his address, said that he was hoping like-minded political parties including Naga People’s Front would “consider and vote” for Congress during the elections here in Nagaland.

Therie said that he has appealed the “like-minded political parties” to support the Congress “in the interest of secularism, in opposing Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016; and for Naga political solution.”

He however added that they are yet to come to an agreement. “We thought Congress alone will not do, therefore, we need like-minded political parties,” Therie said.

The NPCC chief said that there were a few “dedicated” Congress who wanted the Lok Sabha ticket but it finally went to KL Chishi on a “near consensus” decision.

Therie alleged that the BJP has “insulted and openly challenged” the tribal community, including the people of Nagaland. He stated that the BJP’s agenda behind the Citizenship Bill was to “wipe of tribal identity” in the country. “Should we vote for such a political ideology?” he asked.

Therie went on to claim that “the RSS and the BJP do not have any political solution for the Nagas.” The BJP’s “main idea”, he said, was that of a common civil code or uniform civil code across the country.

According to Therie, the BJP does not want ‘any identity or special provision given to any area.’

“We are confident that Congress will be able to deliver the political solution. You can tell our people, if we cannot do it, throw us out,” Therie challenged.

He further asserted that the president of Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi has “agreed” to solve the political problem and “prepared to give solution” to the Nagas through peaceful and constitutional means.

Alem Jongshi said that some of his priorities include healthcare, education, youth, employment, infrastructure and development, and social harmony.

Chishi thanked the Congress for having him back after a year with the BJP. According to him, during his stay with the BJP he felt “so uncomfortable.”

On top of his agenda, Chishi saidm were Indo-Naga political issue, Citizenship Bill, youth employment, and development.