Naga peace accord: Congress accuses PM Modi of 'misleading' nation

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of `misleading` the nation over the Naga peace accord and added that the former has violated the principles of cooperative federalism by not consulting the chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur over the matter.

"Not consulting the Chief Ministers of the three affected states Arunachal, Assam and Manipur by the Prime Minister is a gross violation of the principles of cooperative federalism. What is most dismaying is that Nirmala Sitharaman yesterday misled nation when she said that the three chief ministers were invited for talks but they refused. Prime Minister Modi has misled the nation," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

"We want to state that the Prime Minister or the Modi Government did not state or circulate orally or in writing any agenda regarding Naga peace accord," he added.

He further said that the Congress fully supports the attempt to find a lasting peaceful solution of Naga problem but within the `constitutional framework`.

"The Congress has steadfastly championed and sacrificed for upholding territorial integrity of India and finding lasting peaceful solutions to various insurgencies and militancy in different parts of India. On 3rd August 2015 the Modi Government entered into a Naga peace agreement with NSCN (IM)," said Surjewala.

"Congress fully supports the attempt to find a lasting peaceful solution of Naga problem within our constitutional framework. It is with this view in mind that Congress has welcomed initiative of Govt for a peace agreement with NSCN (IM), we also deprecate in strongest possible terms, attempt by certain elements within ruling establishment to politicise peace agreement in interest of the country," he added.

The Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) on Monday successfully concluded the dialogue on Naga political issue and signed an agreement in Prime Minister Modi`s presence.In his statement at the signing ceremony, the Prime Minister lauded the courage and wisdom of the Naga leaders and civil society and thanked them for their co-operation in reaching the agreement.