Dimapur, May 23 (EMN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has issued a statement assuring that the party will not resort to communal or 'religious politics' but stay true to democratic values as it campaigns for its candidate to the Lok Sabha.
The party issued a statement on Wednesday through its spokesperson Merentoshi R Jamir
The NDPP and the Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDA) pointed to what the statement stated was gross violations of the Election Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) in the campaign.
"These are serious violations of the MCC which the NDPP as well as the alliance have taken into cognizance and have already lodged necessary complaints with the Election Commission of India on the 22nd of May 2018," the statement read.
At the campaign launch of the NPF at Ura Academy on May 15, the NDPP stated, the president of the NPF Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu allegedly stated in his address that '...If one was to become Hindu, they can vote for the PDA's candidate Mr. Tokheho Yepthomi. But if the people want to vote for the Nagas, for secularism and for the Christian faith, they should vote for Jamir.' This is a clear violation of section-3 of the ECI MCC as well as section-125 of the Representation of Peoples Act of 1951, the NDPP stated.
"Such callous statements have larger implications in inciting religious and communal disharmony among the masses. All right thinking citizens must condemn such irrational statements made by a person whom the society holds with respect, especially a former chief minister of the state."
Further, the NDPP stated that on May 20 the NPF's candidate C Apok Jamir presented a "Mithun" to the Ao Senso Telongjem (Ao union) of Dimapur which was then distributed among its members.
"As is well known, presenting a Mithun is not any normal affair but holds a lot of significance amongst all Nagas. The presentation of a live animal, let alone a Mithun, to anyone by a political party, leave aside the candidate himself is a violation of section-4 of the ECI MCC tantamount to bribing the electorates. This is also in violation of the Indian Penal Code."
In this regard, the statement declared: 'The NDPP and PDA puts on record and reiterate our stand that we will contest the by-elections on the very foundations of democracy through our party ideologies and principles and highly condemn the religious politics that our opponent the NPF is resorting to.'
The NDPP has expressed confidence that the Election Commission of India and authorities in concern would take serious cognizance of the complaints raised by the party and that necessary action would be taken at the earliest. The party has appealed to the electorate to exercise their adult franchise on May 28 and 'elect a leader and a party that does and will not indulge in politics of religion, inducement and bribery.'
The Nagaland unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party besides NDPP units also issued to the media copies of letters addressed to the election authorities seeking action.
