Kick-starting the Congress campaign for Nagaland Assembly election at a party rally here today, she said this opportunity should not be lost.
Nagaland is going to the polls on February 23.
She asserted that her party is committed to settlement of the long-pending Naga political issue and added that it was the Congress party which invited the NSCN-IM leaders for talks with the Centre.
Gandhi said it will accord top priority for reconstruction of the State and promised to set up a separate development board for the hitherto backward eastern part of the State because of which the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation has raised the demand for a separate State.
She said the Congress party is committed to protect Naga identity and Naga way of life. Therefore, the Congress government at the Centre had brought Nagaland under Article 371 (A) that protects Naga cultural identity and heritage.
The Congress supremo came down heavily on the NPF-led DAN government, which has been ruling the State for the last 10 years, for “siphoning off” huge amounts of money sanctioned by the Centre for development of the State. She said the State government, which is neck-deep in corruption, has failed to implement the Central government’s flagship programmes.
While certain persons have made huge amount of money out of the Central funds, unemployment has increased enormously making the youth a frustrated lot.
She asked the gathering to question the NPF-led government about the Rs 89 crore sanctioned for development of the State, about the Rs 233 crore sanctioned for rural electrification and also about other funds sanctioned for various projects. All these amounts have gone to the pockets of certain individuals, she alleged.
Gandhi said there are also widespread complaints of backdoor appointments, nepotism and favouritism against the present State government and lamented that although Nagaland is surrounded by thick forests, hills, rivers and other natural resources, people here are less fortunate.
Gandhi said it is time to come back to the path of development and it is time for the women and the youth to say enough is enough.
“I believe Nagas are ready for a change,” she stated.
Gandhi appealed to the voters of Nagaland to make a wise choice and vote for Congress for a better and brighter future.
Gandhi was accompanied by former Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Miister Nabam Tuki and AICC general secretary and in-charge of Nagaland Luizinho Faeilero.