Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 6
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has called for a President’s Rule and an early election in Nagaland. It stated that President’s Rule would be “best” for the people of Nagaland gauging by the current situation. “With the crippling of the government for the past days due to bandhs imposed, a President’s Rule is the answer when the government of the day has completely failed to understand the people, and also to govern the offices and people,” NPCC president K Therie said at a press conference held at the Congress Bhavan on Monday.
The Congress also claimed that it have assessed the current situation and concluded that if the elected government is not sensitive or responsive to the peoples’ demand then “they are unfit to rule.”
“They should now completely understand that they have lost the moral support of the people of Nagaland. And they also have lost the moral authority to rule over the people of Nagaland,” Therie said.
Criticizing the Cabinet’s decision to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister to amend the Constitution through an ordinance, Therie said this decision would embarrass the people of Nagaland.
“The Nagaland Municipal Act is an act of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. They are talking of part 9A which is about article 243T. This has been adopted in 2006 by the NPF led DAN government and therefore only adopted by the NLA. The Government of India has never enforced it. We have also not ratified the 73rd Amendment. Therefore, it is not our law. We have only adopted it,” Therie maintained.
Pointing out that if the Nagaland Legislative Assembly wants to strip the whole of the Municipal act, it is at their disposal. If they want to amend, elect, or add it is up to them; Therie said there is no reason of approaching the GoI. Maintaining that Article 371 A is not a prohibitory act but a freedom given to Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Therie further stated that under the provisions of 371 A and State list, Nagaland State Assembly has sovereign power to make any law.
“It is a complete failure of State Government. They themselves have not understood the Nagaland Municipal Act. That is how they have failed to explain to the people. Had they understood and explained to the people I don’t think there should have been any crisis leading to death and destruction,” stated Therie.
Therie also said the NPF should have given a thought of consulting old political parties.
“We are partners in the governance. But NPF have never considered Congress is a party to governance,” added Therie.
The NPCC also expressed hope that the “Governor will apply his mind and see the safety of the people and restore governance in the state.” “Let the welfare of the people be the final law. Let there be a consultation to develop consensus,” Therie called out.
