Dimapur, August 30 (MExN): The month long anti-corruption crusade including the twelve day fast of Anna Hazare demanding a strong and effective Lokpal seems to have given the ruling NPF led DAN government and the Opposition Congress something to be excited about even if it means succumbing to the popular mood of fighting corruption.
The Nagaland Congress today welcomed the Lokpal Bill especially for a state like Nagaland ‘where a minister continues to enjoy his chair even after admitting misappropriation of funds on the floor of the Assembly.’ In a reiteration of the challenge to the Naga People Front (NPF), the Congress dared it to float an ombudsman for Nagaland if the regional party is actually serious about fighting corruption and promoting transparency in governance.
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) welcomed the Parliament resolution on the Lokpal Bill and appreciated the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government for initiating measures to bring transparency and accountability in governance such as the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 and now the Lokpal Bill.
“In a state like Nagaland where corruption has become an open routine affair in which a Minister continues to enjoy his chair even after admitting his misdeeds (misappropriation of funds) on the floor of the Assembly, where thousands of teachers were appointed through dubious means and later subjecting them to intense scrutiny and harassment are some of the few instances where favoritism, nepotism and money power takes precedence over merit,” a note from the publicity cell of the NPCC state today.
The NPCC also ‘congratulated’ the Naga People’s Front “for applauding Anna Hazare.” However, the Congress said the NPF should pass a resolution in the coming assembly session for appointment of the state’s Lokayukta ‘if it is really serious on cleaning up the rampant corruption patronized by the NPF government’.
NPF says Cong hypocritical on Lokpal
Nettled by the Congress’ challenge to prove in weight the Naga People’s Front’s (NPF) ‘lauding’ the Lokpal Bill, the regional party today responded by accusing the opposition of “double-standards.”
“The statements of the Congress in Nagaland with regard to the adoption of the resolutions in Parliament on the Lokpal Bill have exposed the double standards of the Congress in Nagaland,” the NPF’s publicity cell said today.
According to the NPF’s response, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government “welcomed the adoption of the resolutions in Parliament and also appreciated the efforts of Anna Hazare and his team whereas the Congress seems to be mocking at Hazare and also contradicting its own government at the Centre.”
The Nagaland Congress leaders “will do well to understand that it was only after team Anna had pushed the UPA government against the wall that it took up steps to accede to the demands of Anna Hazare,” the NPF claimed.
Stating the resolutions adopted in Parliament to be unanimous and all political parties cutting across party lines and ideologies agreed that the resolutions should be adopted, the NPF said they were not government decisions. “Prior to this, the Congress through its spokesperson Manish Tewari had gone to the extent of calling team Anna, ‘armchair fascists, overground Maoists and closet anarchists’” the NPF said.
“It is difficult to understand if the Congress leaders in Nagaland agree with Anna Hazare or whether they are aware of the stand of their own party at the Centre. At present they are only making a fool of themselves in the eye of the public. Perhaps they should join hands to bring about transparency in public life instead of trying to score brownie points and in the process confusing themselves,” the NPF added.
The Nagaland Congress today welcomed the Lokpal Bill especially for a state like Nagaland ‘where a minister continues to enjoy his chair even after admitting misappropriation of funds on the floor of the Assembly.’ In a reiteration of the challenge to the Naga People Front (NPF), the Congress dared it to float an ombudsman for Nagaland if the regional party is actually serious about fighting corruption and promoting transparency in governance.
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) welcomed the Parliament resolution on the Lokpal Bill and appreciated the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government for initiating measures to bring transparency and accountability in governance such as the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 and now the Lokpal Bill.
“In a state like Nagaland where corruption has become an open routine affair in which a Minister continues to enjoy his chair even after admitting his misdeeds (misappropriation of funds) on the floor of the Assembly, where thousands of teachers were appointed through dubious means and later subjecting them to intense scrutiny and harassment are some of the few instances where favoritism, nepotism and money power takes precedence over merit,” a note from the publicity cell of the NPCC state today.
The NPCC also ‘congratulated’ the Naga People’s Front “for applauding Anna Hazare.” However, the Congress said the NPF should pass a resolution in the coming assembly session for appointment of the state’s Lokayukta ‘if it is really serious on cleaning up the rampant corruption patronized by the NPF government’.
NPF says Cong hypocritical on Lokpal
Nettled by the Congress’ challenge to prove in weight the Naga People’s Front’s (NPF) ‘lauding’ the Lokpal Bill, the regional party today responded by accusing the opposition of “double-standards.”
“The statements of the Congress in Nagaland with regard to the adoption of the resolutions in Parliament on the Lokpal Bill have exposed the double standards of the Congress in Nagaland,” the NPF’s publicity cell said today.
According to the NPF’s response, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government “welcomed the adoption of the resolutions in Parliament and also appreciated the efforts of Anna Hazare and his team whereas the Congress seems to be mocking at Hazare and also contradicting its own government at the Centre.”
The Nagaland Congress leaders “will do well to understand that it was only after team Anna had pushed the UPA government against the wall that it took up steps to accede to the demands of Anna Hazare,” the NPF claimed.
Stating the resolutions adopted in Parliament to be unanimous and all political parties cutting across party lines and ideologies agreed that the resolutions should be adopted, the NPF said they were not government decisions. “Prior to this, the Congress through its spokesperson Manish Tewari had gone to the extent of calling team Anna, ‘armchair fascists, overground Maoists and closet anarchists’” the NPF said.
“It is difficult to understand if the Congress leaders in Nagaland agree with Anna Hazare or whether they are aware of the stand of their own party at the Centre. At present they are only making a fool of themselves in the eye of the public. Perhaps they should join hands to bring about transparency in public life instead of trying to score brownie points and in the process confusing themselves,” the NPF added.
