BJP shouldn’t impose on religion, culture, says Nagaland CM Zeliang

Nagaland CM TR Zeliang said that the BJP should not impose religion and culture in the state.

Kohima, Feb 15: In poll-bound Nagaland, there is a palpable apprehension regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Reason: the saffron's party alleged "communal agenda" and "blind support for Hindutva". The Nagaland Assembly elections are scheduled on February 27.

The incumbent chief minister TR Zeliang also expressed the same concern regarding the BJP while stressing that otherwise his party, the Naga People's Front (NPF), has no problem having an alliance with the saffron party.

In fact, the NPF and the BJP were having an alliance till recently. However, for the upcoming polls, the BJP has stitched an alliance with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).

In an interview to The Indian Express, Zeliang said, "You see, as a political party we have an alliance with the BJP, and we welcome the alliance with the NPF in terms of governance system, and to have the government. See, there is no difference between the BJP and the NPF."

"But as far as culture and religion is concerned, if they try to dominate, it is the wrong agenda and is the wrong concept. But as a political party there is no problem to have alliance or to continue the alliance.

"Only the concept to dominate the religion should not come in, the culture should not be disturbed. If they try to impose on the culture and religion, then things will go wrong. I don't think they should do that and we believe that our alliance will continue," the CM added.

Recently, in the Christian-dominated state, the all-powerful Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) had launched a scathing campaign against the BJP.

In an open letter, the NBCC had appealed to all other political parties not to support the saffron party and its "brand of Hindutva politics" as India had experienced the worst persecution of minority communities in 2015-2017 under the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-backed BJP government at the Centre.

The BJP is facing several challenges in Meghalaya--where the Assembly elections are also due on February 27--and Nagaland, both Christian-dominated states. In both the poll-bound states, the BJP is seen as a party which is anti-minority (and thus anti-Christians).

The saffron party's alleged support for pan-India "beef ban" and silence over attacks on minorities (especially against Christians in states like Madhya Pradesh) have put the ruling BJP on the backfoot in these two states.

However, what is interesting is that the BJP is also witnessing its political rise in both these states ahead of the elections. The elections results of both the states along with Tripura will be declared on March 3. Tripura is voting for Assembly elections on February 18 (Sunday).

OneIndia News