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Dimapur District Congress Committee officials along with the NPP leaders during the welcome programme on April 6.[/caption]
Dimapur, April 6 (EMN): Former members of Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) have cited indignation against the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and communal ideologies propagated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for joining the Indian National Congress (INC) and to strengthen the secular fabric of the country.
Various leaders from NPP spoke out against the danger of CAB and uniform civil code agenda of the BJP at the welcome programme organised in the office of Dimapur District Congress Committee (DCC) on April 6.
In a welcome address, DCC vice president M Lepden Ao welcomed the new members from the NPP. He urged the newcomers to consider the party as their own and work selflessly for the party.
Former NLA deputy speaker and NPP spokesperson, Er. Levi Rengma, thanked the Congress party for welcoming them to the party. He pointed out that Nagas are at a crucial juncture with two issues confronting them namely CAB and threat to secularism. He stated that it was the Congress’ principle of secularism that prompted them to join and strengthen the party.
While stating that younger generation are impatient for change, he said there is a need for congenial atmosphere for progress and development to take place. He further assured to work wholeheartedly not only for the Lok Sabha but also in the days to come.
Mentioning that there were two options, whether to join hands with one which works for peace and the other for destruction, a former NPP candidate from Meluri, Hopeson mentioned that they have chosen the former in the larger interest of the Naga society. He stated that the intention of BJP to implement uniform civil code cannot be accepted in a diverse country like India.
He also lauded the Look East policy, which was visionary policy of the Congress government. Refusing to join hands with forces which work for the destruction of the Naga society as a reason, he stated that they have joined Congress.
Also speaking on the occasion, GK Rengma recalled the earlier days when he was a Congress man from 1980-2015. Rengma stated that he left the Congress party due to various circumstances and formed the Nagaland Congress party along with others which was approved by the ECI. Subsequently, Nagaland Congress merged with NPP in 2018.
He stated that NPP had a consultative meeting and unanimously resolved to join hands with the Congress to strengthen INC. He encouraged the gathering that good days are coming for the Congress unlike the BJP's ‘Acche Din’ which he termed as a farce.
Stating that Dimapur is a gateway to Nagaland, he strongly felt that good performance in Dimapur would have ripple effect in the entire Nagaland. He claimed that public still have a soft corner for the Congress.
Also mentioning that many NPP leaders have resigned and they have not joined Congress, Rengma affirmed they would extend support to Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
NPCC vice president, Jonathan Ao thanked the new members for joining the Congress party. He also made it clear that Congress does not have any grudge against any member who left the party. He also called upon the Congress workers to work hard to strengthen Rahul's hand at the centre.
Saying that NPP members have joined hands with Congress at a time when the party is undergoing hardships, he expressed hope that their joining would boost the morale of party men. Stating that Congress has bright future, he encouraged the members to work hard towards achieving its goal.
Stating that religion is a personal choice, former minister, SI Jamir, lashed out at the RSS led BJP for trying to impose Hindutva ideology in India. Also stating that one’s vote is a powerful weapon to change political course of the country, Jamir urged upon the members to educate others about its importance.
Pointing out that KL Chishi represents secularism, Jamir cautioned that if Chishi loses in the ensuing Lok Sabha election it would leave an imprint that Nagas could be easily bought by money. He further remarked that the ensuing election would be a fight for ‘our survival.’
The programme was chaired by DCC vice president, Kenneth Tsopoe, whiel the invocation was said by Imsula. A special song was presented by DCC minority cell general secretary, Ajit Gogoi.
