The Hindu : National : Congress to blame for regionalism, says Rio

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Friday, Feb 15, 2008
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Congress to blame for regionalism, says Rio

KOHIMA: “The Congress is responsible for the rise of regionalism in India as it failed to live up to the aspirations of different communities, ethnic groups and minorities,” the former Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, said.

In election rallies during his whirlwind tours to different places in Kohima, Phek, Zunheboto, Dimapur and Peren districts, Mr. Rio has been urging voters to strengthen regional parties.

“Regional parties are the only hope for the people in the changing political contours of the country,” he said.

The former Nagaland Speaker, Z. Lohe, has joined the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF), after being denied a ticket by the Congress.

Mr. Lohe, who has been in the Congress since the mid-1980s, described the party’s decision as a “betrayal” and pledged to ensure that all the five seats in his native Phek district went to the NPF. Before the 2003 assembly election, Mr. Rio had resigned from the Congress and formed NPF which won the election. — PTI

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