The Congress Party held a press conference at the DCC Congress Party Office in Wokha on March 25. Mathew Antony, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Advocate National Spokesperson & National Media Coordinator and Meshenlo Kath, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) Chairman of Public Grievances Dept. were present, along with other party members.
During the press conference, Mathew Antony (AICC) discussed various issues, including the economic, social, and political challenges faced by people in Nagaland and India under the BJP government. He emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unfulfilled promise of creating 2 crore jobs annually. Antony highlighted the high unemployment rates among graduates, postgraduates, and Ph.D. holders, reaching around 33.6 percent, with a peak of 44 percent among 20-24-year-olds. He claimed that during the Congress-led UPA government, 75 lakh jobs were generated each year until 2022.
“Every quarter, about 1 lakh 60 thousand crores is collected through GST, with half of it paid by the poorest citizens and 40 percent by the middle class,” asserted Anthony. He also criticized the BJP, reminding of their strong objections to LPG price hikes in 2013 but now seeming indifferent to the current surge in LPG costs.
“This situation is causing the poor to become even poorer while the rich are getting richer, which is opposite to the core values of the country,” said Anthony questioning whether BJP leaders no longer care about the struggles of ordinary people. The National Spokesperson also opined that BJP’s focus on power and corruption might have overridden their concern for the common people’s suffering.
He further accused the BJP of using agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI for their own agendas, targeting political rivals and even arresting sitting Chief Ministers like Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal. Moreover, freezing of the Congress party’s bank account, despite the fact that national political parties are exempted from income tax, was also highlighted.
Regarding the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation’s decision not to participate in the election, Mathew Antony acknowledged their concerns. He assured that the All India Congress Committee is addressing the issue and mentioned ongoing discussions among state Congress leaders. “The state PCC president will provide further clarification on the party’s stance soon,” said Anthony.
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Meshenlo Kath, Chairman of the Public Grievances Dept, highlighted corruption within the current government during the press conference. He focused on the delayed construction of Nagaland’s High Court, despite the allocation of funds for its development. “Unlike other states where High Courts are functioning, Nagaland’s High Court is still under construction,” stated Kath. He also also criticized the functioning of the “Lokayukta,” which was initially established as an independent body to address public grievances regarding the misuse of power by government officials. Kath argued that it has now become influenced by the government’s interests. Additionally, Kath highlighted the failure to distribute stipends for ITI trainees across multiple districts in Nagaland since 2021, despite the allocation of Rs 500 per month per trainee.
Kath brought attention to the mishandling of developmental funds allocated to the 30 Alongtaki AC. Despite withdrawing Rs 43,69,898 for the Longchem-Saring road project, there has been no visible progress on the construction of the road and bridge. Additionally, funds of 50 lakhs earmarked for a multipurpose hall and 25 lakhs approved by SDPDB for the purchase of two ambulances under the LADP scheme for Alongtaki AC have not been utilized as intended, he revealed.
Furthermore, Kath emphasized the significant number of vacant positions across various departments in Nagaland, with over 1140 vacancies in 76 departments. The shortages in the Forest Department, which lacks 149 forest guards, 15 foresters-1, 1 ACF, and 8 Forest Ranger positions was also highlighted.
The party encouraged the people of Nagaland and Wokha to carefully weigh their options in the upcoming election. “The Congress party is capable of providing the best governance by embracing diverse viewpoints, respecting individuality, and striving to fulfill its commitments,” said Kath reiterating the party’s dedication to delivering on its promises, such as ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers, generating 30 lakh job opportunities, providing apprenticeships for unemployed youth, and advocating for justice for women nationwide. He appealed voters to support the Congress Party and Vote for Congress candidate S. Supongmeren Jamir on April 19.
