Kohima: The Naga People’s Front fired back at the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee on September 28. Party leaders rejected claims from Lok Sabha MP S Supongmeren Jamir that they were poaching municipal councillors. The NPF called the accusations baseless and misleading. They claimed council members joined the party voluntarily to support their regional vision.
The NPF challenged the Congress to provide proof of coercion or bribes. The party stated, "In a democracy, elected representatives, as citizens and public leaders, have every right to make their own political choices and such decisions cannot be termed as poaching." They argued that attacking the independence of grassroots leaders displays a condescending mindset toward local governance.
Congress has lost the public mandate for over twenty years, according to the NPF. They advised the opposition to focus on why their own people are jumping ship. The party insisted that voters do not belong to any single political group.
The conversation also shifted to the stalled Naga political talks. The NPF welcomed the appointment of retired IPS officer Ajit Lal as the new interlocutor. They disagreed with Jamir, who called the appointment a disgrace. The NPF noted that Jamir actually signed a September 12 resolution calling for the talks to move to a higher ministerial level. They believe a political approach is the right path forward. They urged all parties to act with restraint to help secure a lasting, peaceful settlement.
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