Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, in reply to Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Tokheho Yepthomi’s post on X, asked why the MP needs “to borrow the opinion of a third party as some sort of justification for his stand on an issue of such great public importance.”

Yepthomi had attacked Nagaland Congress for questioning his statement when it remained silent on statements made by NSCN IM supporting the abrogation of Article 371A on two occasions. on 23rd January 2024, Yepthomi had posted on X:

“The NSCN-IM on 26th May 2023 had stated that Article 371(A) no longer had any political significance. Prior to this they had also stated on 10th October 2023 stated that Article 371(A) was a road block to the Naga Political solution and that it only meant loss of Naga’s nationality and political identity. The @INCNagaland was silent on both statements made by the NSCN- IM on Article 371(A), but ironically, they have questioned my recent statement and clarification. Does the NPCC subscribe to the NSCN-IM’s views about Article 371(A)?

In its press release, NPCC said that it is unfortunate that the reaction from the MP “has elicited more questions than answers”. It also said that the Party’s silence on the statements made by NSCN IM cannot stop it from holding the MP accountable for his statement.

NPCC also reiterated that it condemns Yepthomi’s “advocacy for the removal of Article 371(A), and the lack of proportionate censure from the NDPP for the same.”

“We also assert our commitment in opposing any moves aimed at diluting the rights of the people of Nagaland,” it further said.

Read more: NPCC slams LS MP Tokheho Yepthomi’s statement on Article 371A, demands apology

Earlier last week, MP Yepthomi had during a program in Chümoukedima said that he wishes the Government of India will do away with Article 371A. A day later, his party, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) distanced itself from the statement. Yepthomi then put up a clarification saying that he made the comment to provoke the minds of fellow citizens. He also said that his views “does not reflect those of the NDPP or its leadership.”