Only a clean candidate can uphold clean election and deliver clean governance if elected by the public and only Congress can fulfill that, S Supongmeren Jamir, the Congress candidate for Nagaland’s Lok Sabha seat, said while speaking to media persons on Friday at Sangtemla Community Hall in Mokokchung.
On being asked how he plans to carry on the election campaign since all bank accounts of the Congress are frozen, Jamir stated that it will not impact the campaign much as they do not plan on buying votes like the other Parties. The only thing that will be affected by the financial crunch is touring the State, he said.
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Congress’ assurances for Nagaland
Answering to the question on what his Party will do for Nagas if the INDIA bloc forms government at the Centre, Jamir said that foremost, the Congress will resolve the Naga political issue that the BJP Government has been stalling for years.
The NPCC President also mentioned the Congress will be promising 25 guarantees and its implementation in Nagaland which will announced when its manifesto is released after the last date of nomination.
Further, SS Jamir said that if elected to power, Congress assures to increase job reservation for SC/ST, special budget for SC/ST, incentives for farmers, reimplement Old Pension System, 1 lakh per year to women from poor families, incentives for gig workers and law to completely end all paper leaks, among others.
Rights of Eastern Nagaland
Supongmeren Jamir reiterated that Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization’s (ENPO) demand for their rights was valid and that the region deserve development and facilities. He assured that the Congress is ready to identify the genuine demands of the people from Eastern region who have been the first in the Naga struggle as well as in the creation of the Nagaland State.
Vote against RSS ideology
Alleging that the doctrines of the RSS and BJP threaten secularism and all minority groups in India, Jamir expressed hope that when electorates from Nagaland cast their ballots on 19th April 2024, they will vote against such ideology and in favour of Nagaland and ‘Nagaland for Christ’. He said that it would be unacceptable if the religion and traditions of the State are persecuted because of a precious vote given to the wrong party.
SS Jamir admitted that the Congress is struggling in Nagaland, however, he asserted that the party remains committed to deliver its promises whenever even the chance.
He said that Congress is standing against 60 Legislators of the ‘oppositionless’ government held captive in the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) and emphasized that this Parliamentary election is bigger than the State Assembly elections as it will decide the future of the minority groups in the country.
NPF betrayed their supporters
Supongmeren Jamir also stated that Naga People’s Front (NPF), a party that stands for ‘real secularism’, has betrayed its supporters who voted for them by joining PDA but expressed confidence that their workers and supporters will choose secularism and vote for Congress.
Former MLA and PCC member Toshipokba Longkumer, who was also at the press conference, reiterated that with 99% Christians in the State, if people of Nagaland vote for a political party whose ideology is against secularism and minorities, our future is questionable.
Read more: S Supongmeren Jamir: NPCC Lok Sabha candidate
