Kohima, April 18 (MExN): BJP legislator Imkong L Imchen today reaffirmed and reiterated his statement on April 16 that all “atrocious and criminal acts committed by Indian Security Forces on the Naga people were done during the Congress regime.”
He further maintained that the Congress and its functionaries “try to rewrite the history of the Nagas, and I guarantee that it cannot be washed away even in the distant future.”
Imchen also expressed his “amusement” over the “Habitual defectors make habitual liars” remark made during the rebuttal of his April 16 press conference by Ranajit Mukherjee, AICC Secretary in-charge Nagaland, and C Apok Jamir in Dimapur on April 17.
Mukherjee must have material evidence on “how many times and on what cause I have lied to call me ‘a habitual liar’,” he noted, adding, “Throwing aspersions (wild allegations) is not a good weapon in the conduct of politics (public service).”
He also reiterated his allegation that the Indian National Congress (INC) promised to introduce same-sex marriage in its 2024 Parliamentary elections manifesto, which he deemed “devilish” and against God’s decree, adding: “Stop misleading our people” any further.”
He also referenced Mukherjee’s past legal challenges regarding sexual harassment, expressing hope for his prompt resolution of these legal matters.
Imchen, who is also the Advisor to Information & Public Relations and Soil & Water Conservation Departments Nagaland, claimed that it is crystal clear policy of the Congress to appease certain communities in order to establish their electoral vote bank over the years.
“Naturally, when historical evidence demonstrates otherwise, history has to be written more accurately and honestly even though it may result in uncomfortable and critical conditions for the Congress party,” he added.
Meanwhile, he suggested that Mukherjee should consider reading books such as “My Years with Nehru” by SN Mallik, Director IB, and “The Nagas in the 19th Century” by Verrier Elwin and other relevant documents and literature on Nagas.
Insights into the organization of the Naga Peoples’ Convention on three occasions, the genesis of the 16 Point Memorandum leading to Nagaland’s statehood as the 16th state of the Indian Union, and how these events have posed challenges to the Naga Political struggle and its resolution would be found in such materials, he added.
In response to the remarks made by the former MP and MLA, Jamir, regarding party affiliations and related matters, Imchen emphasised the constitutional provision allowing every eligible candidate to contest elections.
He highlighted his own electoral track record, having won five consecutive terms since his initial participation in Assembly elections in 2003.
He also pointed out that people of 28-Koridang Assembly Constituency had given their confident mandate to him to represent them in Nagaland Legislative Assembly and he won those elections “without having any political patronage from any quarter or anybody.
“If I have enjoyed the privilege of Nagaland statehood under the 16 Point Memorandum, he had also enjoyed like many Naga elected members. However, it is my clear-cut stand, right from the beginning that this Naga People Convention and their 16 Point Memorandum has never solved the Naga Political Issue, rather these people have aggravated the Naga Political Issue till today,” he added.
Imchen further maintained that he thought Jamir was a member of the NDPP party because of his alleged support for its candidate in the 27-Mokokchung Town Assembly Constituency during the election and wondered when he returned to the Congress party.
Despite this, he said he is refraining from labeling him as a ‘habitual defector.’
Accordingly, the BJP legislator asserted that “one should be honest and have an unblemished integrity while in public service” and the 60-elected NLA representatives are fully behind the candidature of Dr Chumben Murry for the ensuing Lok Sabha election.
“Ultimately he shall be filling the lone Lok Sabha seat from Nagaland but none others
