All consulted before Naga accord: BJP

Rubbishing Congress’ allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi kept all stakeholders in the dark about the peace accord, party leader and Cabinet minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: “Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang with all party delegations led by the Speaker of Nagaland Assembly met the Prime Minister two days before the peace accord was signed.”

Sitharaman said that even on Saturday Zeliang had a word with the Prime Minister on the issue, and added: “The Chief Minister has been continuously in dialogue with our Prime Minister and even today they met.”

On the other hand, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Saturday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh here, and sought a copy of the accord signed between the Central government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on August 3.

Taking a dig at the UPA regime, Sitharaman said: “There are many instances when crucial decisions were taken by the Congress PMs keeping stakeholders in the dark.” Elaborating on the allegations, she said: “Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke about Teesta accord, went to Bangladesh but West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wasn’t briefed.”

BJP also accused the Congress of forcing its Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh to retract statements on Naga peace accord and said it “augurs badly” for the country that the Opposition party does so on the issue of national security. Sitharaman further added that it is important that Congress plays an important role of being in Opposition, as a constructive force and differentiate on issues and their national importance rather than pick up a fight on every issue and say they are shocked, surprised and will tooth and nail oppose it.