GUWAHATI: National People’s Party, Assam state unit released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Friday with a pledge to oppose the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill tooth and nail, protect indigenous interests and uphold secularism.
“NPP is a national party with a strong regional outlook. We are committed to establish regionalism and federalism from the grassroots,” NPP Assam state unit convener, Dilip Borah told reporters here on Friday.
Among the primary aims and objectives listed in the manifesto are economic development of Northeast, unification of Centre with strong states in a truly federal structure, protection of rights of indigenous communities with emphasis on employment, industrialisation, land and cultural rights.
“We have been and will be firm in forever opposing legislations such as the Citizenship Amendment Bill which poses a threat to our people’s identity and culture,” Borah said.
Besides, the party pledged to demand that the powers and functions between the states and the Centre be defined in the spirit of a true federal system of governance.
“Our elected representatives at the Centre have not been on the same page over the past seven decades now which is why the region has not progressed. Our party motto has been ‘One Voice One Northeast’ and we will adhere by it,” he said.
The party’s manifesto also outlined that in order to sustain peace in Northeast, the government must peacefully resolve issues of organisations and outfits carrying out movements for protection of indigenous interests or freedom.
It stated that all forms of communal forces would be dealt with strongly.
Besides, the party among other objectives, resolved to address the issue of Scheduled Tribe status for six indigenous communities of Assam at the earliest; create satellite autonomous areas for backward communities; revive industries such as paper mills; address issues of small tea growers as well as farmers and fix a minimum daily wage of Rs 400 for tea garden labourers.
NPP Assam state unit, launched just a month back, will contest in seven parliamentary constituencies.
