Kohima: The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee is turning up the heat on the Naga People’s Front. The NPCC issued a stinging rebuke on September 29 in Dimapur, focusing on two major grievances: the alleged poaching of opposition councillors and the government’s choice for peace interlocutor.
Congress leaders allege that the NPF is starving opposition wards of cash to force compliance. They claim the ruling party withholds development funds to back councillors into a corner. "Can a political decision be considered entirely voluntary if opposition councillors are denied development funds for their respective wards?" the NPCC asked. They want the government to show its books. The party demands a full disclosure of ward-wise funding to settle the matter.
The criticism intensified regarding the Indo-Naga political talks. The state appointed a retired civil servant to lead the process. The NPCC says this ignores the clear mandate of the Naga people. They point to a September 12, 2026, consultative meeting where the public demanded a political or ministerial-level negotiator. Congress maintains the peace process needs political weight, not just a bureaucrat pushing papers.
The NPCC argued the NPF is confused by the demand for a ministerial representative. They claim the NPF leadership is happy with a bureaucratic pick while the public remains ignored. The party insists the current phase of the Naga peace process demands a leader with real political standing. They want someone capable of finalizing a formal agreement. The NPCC told NPF leaders to decide if they really support the will of the people or just the status quo.
Updated at 30th September 2026 at 10:00am
The new sources specifically identify the recently appointed interlocutor as Ajit Lal. The Congress party further insists that the time for negotiation has passed, claiming the negotiation phase between the Naga Political Groups and the central government has already concluded. They are now pushing for the formal implementation of a political agreement.
The NPCC also clarified that their recent statement serves as a direct rejoinder to what they labeled a misleading public claim from the NPF regarding the appointment process. They left the final assessment of the new appointment to the conscience and wisdom of NPF leaders.
Updated at 1st October 2026 at 1:47am
The NPF fired back, labeling the Congress party as insincere and accusing them of trying to derail the peace talks. The ruling party argues that the appointment of Ajit Lal fulfills the letter and spirit of the September 12 resolution, which they claim had the backing of civil society, churches, and elected representatives, including Congress members themselves.
While the NPCC insists the negotiation phase is dead and demands the immediate implementation of a final agreement, the NPF maintains that the new appointment is a positive move. The NPF called for a cooling off period, telling opposition leaders that bickering serves no purpose and urging all sides to get behind the process to reach a final, honorable settlement.
Updated at 1st October 2026 at 5:46am
The NPF sharpened its defense of the new appointment by pointing to historical milestones. The party highlighted the ceasefire secured during the PV Narasimha Rao administration, the 2015 Framework Agreement, and the 2017 Agreed Position under NDA governments. The NPF insists these precedents bolster their support for the current appointment as a path toward a final, honorable settlement.
Separately, the NPCC Minority Department waded into a different fight on September 30, condemning the alleged physical assault of its Vice-Chairman during a land dispute. While the department disclaimed involvement in the underlying property argument, they demanded an impartial police probe into the violence. They warned against vigilante justice, urging both sides to stick to legal channels to resolve the conflict.
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