Senior Congress leader and AICC member K. Therie has strongly criticised the merger of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), alleging that both parties have surrendered their founding principles and aligned themselves with corruption and communal politics. In a sharp statement, Therie recalled the historical value of the cock symbol that once represented honesty, patriotism, and non-violence, ideals rooted in the 1929 Naga Hills Memorandum submitted by pioneering Naga leaders. He alleged that the symbol has now been “tarnished” by leaders who compromised their values for political gains.
Therie accused the NPF and NDPP of becoming indistinguishable, saying both parties now operate under the same “high command” and share what he described as a common culture of corruption. He went on to claim that the merger has left Nagaland at the mercy of the Chief Minister, giving him “absolute power to corrupt absolutely.” According to Therie, the parties’ alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has weakened the state’s voice on crucial issues, especially those concerning Christians and Nagas. He alleged that both NPF and NDPP have become “anti-Christian, anti-solution, and anti-Naga” while continuing their partnership with the BJP.He further blamed the BJP, “in collusion with the NPF government,” for its alleged role in the recent violence in Manipur, where Christian women were among the worst victims. Despite such incidents, he pointed out, the NPF continued to support the BJP-led alliance.
Therie said the merger was not about strengthening governance but about consolidating power. He expressed concern that legislators were now taking instructions from “intruders,” leading to widespread issues such as multiple taxation, extortion, and exploitation of the public.“The beautiful cock symbol, once respected, now represents anti-Christianity, a collaborator of Hindutva ideology, and one of the most corrupt parties in the nation,” he said.
