NPF rejects Congress poaching allegations, defends councillors’ political choices and welcomes Ajit Lal’s appointment as Naga talks interlocutor
DIMAPUR — The Naga People's Front (NPF) has rejected allegations that it was “poaching” elected members of town and municipal councils, with the party maintaining that councillors who joined or extended support to it had done so out of their own choice.
The response came after Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president and Lok Sabha MP S Supongmeren Jamir accused the NPF of luring elected representatives to its side.
In a statement issued on Monday, the NPF termed the allegation “baseless and misleading” and said elected representatives had the right to make their own political choices.
It challenged the Congress to produce evidence of coercion, inducement or any other unlawful act before the appropriate authority, if it had such evidence, rather than making “irresponsible” allegations in the media.
The party also disputed Supongmeren’s remarks concerning the political mandate, contending that a voter mandate could not be treated as the property of any political party. It asserted that elected councillors remained accountable to the people who had voted for them.
Also read: ‘Every Naga has right to speak on political issue’ — Supongmeren Jamir
The NPF accused the Congress of undermining the independence of grassroots representatives by suggesting that councillors had switched sides in return for money or development projects.
The party assured that it remained committed to strengthening town and municipal councils and ensuring that they functioned peacefully and without discrimination.
It also took issue with Supongmeren’s reported description of the appointment of retired IPS officer and former Joint Intelligence Committee chairman Ajit Lal as the new interlocutor for the Indo-Naga political talks as a “disgrace”.
The NPF pointed to a September 12, 2024 resolution adopted by Naga civil society organisations, churches and elected representatives, including the two MPs, which called for the dialogue and peace process to be elevated to the highest political level.
According to the NPF, the resolution specifically urged the government of India to appoint an interlocutor at the political or ministerial level, with the confidence and mandate of the government, to facilitate the ongoing dialogue.
The party pointed out that Supongmeren was also a signatory to the resolution and questioned his criticism of the appointment of the new interlocutor.
The NPF welcomed Lal’s appointment, saying renewed political engagement could open an opportunity for broader participation in the long-running Naga dialogue.
It called on the new interlocutor to engage with all Naga political groups and other stakeholders, while taking into account the historical and political complexities surrounding the Naga issue.
The party stated that all stakeholders should work towards a “peaceful, honourable, inclusive and enduring political settlement” and urged political parties to exercise restraint in their public statements.
It maintained that political differences should not overshadow the larger interests and aspirations of the Naga people.
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