A significant controversy is brewing in Nagaland as Minister for Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, faces mounting pressure to step down from his position. This comes in the wake of a high-profile investment dispute that has reached the Bombay High Court.
The Rising People’s Party (RPP) has been at the forefront of the calls for Along’s resignation, criticising him for downplaying the issue as a “normal business dispute.” The dispute involves a substantial amount of ₹ 125 crores, which the RPP argues is too serious to be dismissed so lightly. The Party has urged the Government of Nagaland to take immediate action and drop Along from the Council of Ministers.
The RPP has also condemned the State BJP for its silence on the matter, accusing the party of double standards. They pointed out the contradiction between the BJP’s stance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a “Corruption-free India.” This silence, according to the RPP, suggests that the BJP may be shielding Along, which further erodes public trust.
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In another development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken action against two Naga contractors involved in the construction of the new Kohima High Court complex. The ED has provisionally attached immovable assets worth ₹ 96 lakh belonging to these contractors. The RPP has welcomed this move, seeing it as a significant step towards combating corruption in the state. They have urged the ED to pursue this case to its logical conclusion, involving ten PWD engineers and six contractors.
The RPP has also appealed to the Chief Minister to grant prosecution sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the involvement of ten PWD state officials. The Party believes that the delay in granting this sanction gives the impression that politicians are afraid of being implicated themselves.
