Barely few days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched its election manifesto, the Congress party has hit out at the saffron party of copycatting part of its manifesto, which was released 10 days ahead, with regard to the concentration of the Eastern Nagaland region.
The claim was made by Jairam Ramesh, Rajya Sabha MP and AICC general secretary in-charge of communications department, during a press conference held at Congress Bhavan in Kohima on Thursday in the presence of other party officials and two of its candidates namely Seyievilie Sachu and Meshenlo Kath.
Ramesh said in 2018 election, the BJP party played politics with slogan ‘Election for solution,’ while its allies NDPP with ‘Change is coming.’ Ramesh alleged that the last five years were period of ‘betrayal and failed promises’ and termed the slogans of alliance partners as ‘Election for confusions’ and ‘Change is gone.’
Pointing out that the Modi government announced a framework for peaceful resolutions of all the issues and was welcomed by all, he asserted that everybody and particularly the Congress party wanted peace, socio-economic and development in the state of Nagaland. He stated that none has seen the contents even after lapsed of eight years.
The parliamentarian alleged that the BJP manifesto 2023 does not have a single word of the Naga political issue.
Stating that BJP government had abolished Article 370 overnight, he cautioned that the same could apply to Article 371 (A), which the Congress government granted special privilege to the state of Nagaland 61 years ago.
As the centre government abolished Article 370 in a matter of eight hours, Ramesh expressed concern that Article 371 (A) could also be done the same way. He said the BJP believes in uniformity, while the Congress is for unity through diversity.
He claimed that development had come to a complete halt and corruption has increased astronomically and the people were led astray by the alliance of the BJP and NDPP.
“BJP manifesto is a copycat manifesto after the Congress which the party had made five commitments for the Eastern Nagaland areas,” he said.
Alleging that the BJP is most uncomfortable with diversity- religious, linguistic, ethnic, cultural, food and dress, he stated that there is always a risk of Article 371 (A) as the same could repeat the fate of Article 370 in the hands of BJP.
Ramesh asserted that this election is an opportunity for the people of Nagaland to reject the forces of false promises and put trust and confidence in the party that is comfortable, respects and celebrates India's diversity.
He expressed belief that the youth would vote for the Congress as he alleged that the claim of the BJP ‘double engine government is hollow.’
INC candidate, Seyievilie Sachu, who is contesting against the sitting chief minister, Nephiu Rio, from 11 Northern Angami-II AC, said he was not randomly set up by the Congress party but a decision he chose to fight against Rio, who has been representing the constituency for 30 years.
He alleged Rio's lacked of equal development in terms of education, medical facilities and the huge presence of educated unemployed youth in the area. He added that he is standing to fight against corruption.
Ramesh was quick to remark that the Congress is fighting the election to win and not for the sake of fighting. He added that the Congress is not fighting for symbolic fight but for the real fight.
Another INC candidate from 9 Kohima Town AC, Meshenlo Kath, said he and Sachu are contesting from the hot seats with visions for the empowerment of youth.