NDPP playing blame game, says NPF

Dimapur, Nov. 1 (EMN): War of words between the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the Naga People’s Front (NPF) over postponement of Joint Legislative Forum (JLF) meeting on Naga political issue continues despite clarification made by the deputy speaker of NLA for the delay. Following NDPP’s accusation that opposition leader TR Zeliang was misleading the people as well as NPF legislations in connection with the proposed JLF meeting, the NPF on Friday issued a press statement expressing its “dismay over the NDPP’s attitude in blame game.” It also accused the ruling party of making “continual effort to sow seeds of dissent within the NPF party”, describing it as “pathetic, unethical and juvenile.” The party claimed that resorting to blame game indicates that “they (NDPP) do not have concern over the Naga political issue but only concern for their chair and future position in a post –solution scenario and lobbying in Delhi for the same.” It went on to claim that the party’s positive attitude towards the government has been misconstrued and ‘the NDPP has mastered the art of finding faults even when there is none.’ “When the 4th October meeting was cancelled at the eleventh hour and a date was proposed, the Leader of NPF party had clarified to the office of Deputy Speaker that as some MLAs would not be in station on 7th and 9th October due to prior engagement of the party. However, they will all be back on the 10th so fixing the meeting on the 11th would be convenient for all as the presence of all the elected members at the JLF meeting is important at this crucial juncture,” read the statement. The NPF said that there was no intimidation on JLF meeting which was why Zeliang wrote to the Speaker. It also wondered “how the letter of the LoP requesting for holding the JLF meeting” has hurt the sentiments of the CM and the ruling party. “The NPF party will continue to stand by our commitment towards facilitating for a final solution. And no matter how much our adversaries attempt to break us, we will not be broken but rather grow from strength to strength with the prayers and support of the Naga people,” it stated. The party has also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of India and the Union Home Minister for their concern to solve Naga Issue. It congratulated the Interlocutor, NSCN (IM) and 7-NNPGs for arriving at an understanding and appealed to the public to pray for the negotiators so that hiccups do not crop up before the final inking of the accord. NPCC hits back Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K Therie on Friday claimed that the NDPP and its sympathisers had opposed the 16-point agreement and Art 371(A) till October 31 but “it is now championing and asking why Congress has failed to fully utilise” after sighting solution. “I am happy that NDPP for the first time is speaking of the need to fulfill the 16 PA and fully utilise Art.371(A). If the ruling Government can restore and fully implement, we shall be happier that anyone else. The matter is in the hands of the Government of the day. Please show us by your action,” read the statement from Therie. While accusing the NDPP of ‘systemising corruption at all levels’, the Congress leader stated: “Since they have already committed to pave the way for solution, they should honour their commitment to pave the way for interim government.” Hoping to “see one administration, one law, one government and one tax” through the solution, Therie said that the party want “Government of India to ensure a corruption free government post solution.”