Kohima: The Naga peoples Front (NPF) has said that the UPA Chairperson and AICC President Sonia Gandhi has joined the Nagaland Congress bandwagon by alleging irregularities and corrupt act in the construction of Sovima Cricket Stadium whose estimate rose from around Rs. 7 Crore to Rs. 72 Crore.
In a release the NPF Press and Media Bureau maintained that it was not expected of a person of Sonia’s stature to stoop to such a ‘low level’ in making ‘false allegations at the State Government’ and dedicating much time to a project that was funded within the state’s plan fund.
Maintaining that Sonia had her facts and figures wrong about the Sovima cricket stadium, NPF clarified that the stadium did not cost Rs. 72 crore but that the figure was the estimate if all components were implemented. NPF said four different contractors were involved for four different components of the project and that so far, an amount of Rs. 37.88 crore was released.
The NPF also pointed out that the Rs. 37.88 crore was for the following: a Cricket Academy, the best in the region; installation of quality floodlights of international standard and the first in the region; state of art underground drainage; installation of sheds for 1200 KVA capacity generators; completion of public toilet; security wall, traditional gates; parking facility for hundreds of vehicles, underground water tanks (16 Lakh liters capacity); construction of galleries, press boxes, pavilions, players’ facilities all of which were underway.
It also said the project was monitored by a third party under the government of India which had lauded the project.
Making a comparison, NPF said while a single directorate building funded under central schemes cost between Rs. 35 to Rs. 50 crore; the Sovima stadium envisaged such a standard with just Rs. 38 crore.
NPF also said Sonia’s speech lacked vision and inspiration as it reflected the Congress manifesto which had no vision and roadmap and filled with vagueness.
Taking on Sonia over her assurance that the Congress would soon bring a solution to the Naga political issue, NPF said her speech lacked clarity, commitment and was not convincing.
The NPF maintained that assuring of political solution during electioneering would not convince people and said Congress should not undermine the intellect of Nagas. (UNI)