The NPF media and press bureau seem to have erred in espousing the feat achieved by TR Zeliang in forming a “Congress Mukt” government in the state. The manner in which the NPF under TR Zeliang resorted to buying of MLAs belonging to congress, suspending vocal NPF MLA and dropping minister and parliamentary secretaries that carries weigh and potential to upset TR Zeliang’s applecart had raised eyebrows. The erudite members of NPF media and press bureau has viewed the narrative from the prism of a bias and motivated paratroopers and therefore the NPCC wants to gently remind the NPF media and press bureau that state has a “Opposition Mukh” nay ‘anti-TR Zeliang Mukh ’, not “Congress Mukh” with a motive to have a free run and loot without resistance.
The NPCC acknowledged that the Congress lost three consecutive elections beginning 2003, however the defeat of the congress does not qualify the TR Zeliang led DAN government to loot and blunder the state with impunity, sans criticism. The NPF media and press bureau is well advised to remember that third consecutive win for DAN comes along with a responsibility to govern, administer and control but not to loot and siphon public money at will.
The NPF media and press bureau in its attempt to score debating points alleged that NPCC has sought the friendship of Governor to expose the DAN government. The fair name of the Governor should not be dragged and linked to any political parties whatsoever. This speaks volumes of NPF inability to take even constructive criticism. The NPF media and press bureau also made a wrong analogy to equate NPCC to a “hapless drowning man trying to grip tiny twig against the torrential currents of mighty rivers”. However, it is the entire Nagas, including Governor and the BJP trying to save from the mighty torrential and unstoppable tide of corruption of DAN government headed by TR Zeliang. The Head of the State, BJP, entire civil society members of the state and NPCC is in the same wavelength when it comes to massive corruption, mismanagement and swindling of public fund by the DAN dispensation. It is surprising that the NPF is maintaining a stony silence over BJP’s lambasting of DAN government but NPF media cell chose to hurl potshots and abuses on the NPCC for taking the same position as that of the BJP. The NPCC is looking forward for an appropriate reply from NPF to BJP’s remarks and ensure a debate on the omission and commission of the DAN regime.
The NPF media & press bureau over the years has mastered the art putting up weak and evasive defense devoid of convincing and credible reasons making a mockery of its stand on many issues. It is very clear that TR Zeliang has made a U-turn on the issue of 2012 NLA Select Committee recommendation/decision pertaining to Urban bodies elections. The NPF, the oldest regional party that consistently espouses to protect 371 (A) stands exposed. The media and press bureau clarification was evasive, vague and devoid of any substance that confuses the readers more than ever before. With regard to his educational qualification debate, the NPF found an escape route to hide behind geographical boundary and clarified that verdict delivered was for Manipur MLAs. The judgment delivered on 2nd November 2016 by the Supreme Court of India is applicable to all politicians irrespective of geographical barrier cutting across party affiliations and no exemption was implied in the judgment for TR Zeliang.
The media & press bureau went on to claim that the party has never throttled the voice of elected members. However the records speaks otherwise and the MLA, who was not allowed to raised question of public importance in the assembly went on record to say that he was denied to raise question and hence’ propaganda & misinformation bureau’ of NPF will be more apt nomenclature for NPF media and press bureau. And NPF contention that NPCC is trying to stage a comeback through media war is fallacious and misleading. The congress will make relentless effort to combat the menace of corruption, underdevelopment, fraud, swindling of public fund etc. The NPCC is least interested in media war but will continue to highlight people oriented issues from time to time through the media for the benefit of all stakeholders of the state. It is ridiculous of NPF media and press bureau to assume that “Congress has no moral right to call the government through the media” The Press is the fourth pillar of democracy and congress is within its right to articulate and even criticize the government through the print and electronic media. The NPF media & press bureau seems to have a mistaken notion that media is a platform only for victors and corrupt rulers with sack full of currency notes and funds. The media is both for victors and the vanquished the rich and the poor alike.
The NPF media & and press bureau after a lengthy rebuttal of what NPCC had raised, however appeared to have realized that something was amiss in the area of governance and quickly welcomed those affected by any ‘feature of mal-governance with tangible and verifiable evidence so that issue could be taken up and resolved’. A pertinent question arises here. Is the NPF media & press bureau solicits irrefutable and verifiable evidence from the Governor and BJP to make good the damage done and clean up their backyard? The Governor and NPF ally, BJP would not have raised the issue of massive corruption and embezzlement by DAN government on the basis of hearsay and rumor. The evidence provided by NPCC, ACCAUT and other organization is basically based on RTI reply provided by the DAN government. What better and more credible evidence is required other than RTI reply? This is but tangible and verifiable evidence to act upon. The NPF should refrain from beating about the bush. Amid this tsunami of corruption the NPF may find it difficult to find a value-laden answer. The NPF media & press bureau is well advised to take a cue from Muhammad Ali, who says “silence is golden when you can’t think of a good answer”.
The swindling of public fund, underdevelopment, non-payment of salaries, deplorable road condition etc is not a figment of imagination of Congress workers but a reality which is plaguing the state today. It is apparent that under the DAN regime only the non-living things are conspicuous by their silence, but DAN government stand exposed and indicted in the Court of all living beings.
The NPCC as responsible political party will spearhead the campaign towards clean election, development, peace, accountability and transparency in governance and hence NPCC solicits the support of all like-minded people committed towards this end to join hands with us for a prosperous Nagaland.
