In what may be termed as a huge embarrassment to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nagaland, the party has declined debate with the Congress party on election manifesto initiated by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) scheduled on February 23.
It may be recalled that on February 16, BJP Nagaland has dared the Congress party for a debate on election manifesto to which the NBCC has decided to facilitate and stage a common platform on February 23 as part of its clean election movement.
The NBCC in a press release informed that the BJP has expressed inability to participate in the debate “owning to the programmes line up in the coming days with a galaxy of star campaigners and central leaders visiting the state in the run up to the state election.” This was communicated to NBCC CEM by the BJP spokesperson, while the Congress party has responded positively.
It, therefore, informed that the much-anticipated common platform has been cancelled. NBCC has expressed unhappiness to political parties that holds no political accountability and for lacking in translating their words into action. It also apologise the public for the inconvenience and disappointment it mighy have caused.
Meanwhile, the NBCC CEM has taken exception to lofty rhetoric about democracy and put on record that it endorsed voting is one of the most powerful tools for change to keep democracy vibrant. It has affirmed on clean, free, fair and informed choices.
It stated that public sphere is the centre and medium of democracy and all possible means and resources must be used to explore the possibilities of public discussion, adding that public desire, aspiration and needs stands above party position and manifestoes.
It maintained that CEM’s common platforms are non-partisan space staged for transparent, open exchange of ideas and beliefs in unscripted environment which public deserves in any democracy from their leaders and political parties.
It further stated that CEM would continue to work in enhancing a safe and neutral space for educating the citizens through use of common platforms and other democratic means.