DIMAPUR, March 6: The Nagaland Congress has reaffirmed its commitment to bring about a political change in the state by ousting the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in the upcoming 2028 assembly elections. Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, the newly appointed party in charge of Nagaland, made this declaration on March 5, during a meeting with office bearers of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) to strategize for the future.
Ulaka, who also serves as a Lok Sabha MP from Odisha, addressed a press conference where he emphasized the party’s focus on development and anti-corruption initiatives for the state. “We are preparing for the 2028 elections to form a Congress-led government in Nagaland,” Ulaka stated. He also pointed out that the Congress had earned significant trust from the people, evidenced by their overwhelming support in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress party, which has not had an MLA in the state assembly for over two decades, made a notable comeback in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by winning the lone seat in Nagaland after a 20-year hiatus. Party candidate S Supongmeren Jamir defeated his nearest rival, Chumben Murry of the NDPP (a BJP ally), with a significant margin of 50,984 votes. This victory, Ulaka noted, reflected the people’s desire for change and trust in Congress leadership.
Criticizing the current NDPP-BJP coalition government, Ulaka alleged that the people of Nagaland were suffering under misgovernance, which had hindered the state’s development. He also praised the leadership of former Congress Chief Minister SC Jamir, stating that after 20-22 years of being out of power, the people of Nagaland deserved better governance. “A corruption-free governance and a better solution to the state’s problems are needed,” he said.
Ulaka further expressed confidence that the central government would experience a regime change in 2029, which would help Congress achieve its goals. “There is nothing that can stop us, and we will do everything necessary to prepare for the 2028 elections,” he asserted.
The party’s strategy includes organizing meetings with district committees, assembly-level Congress committees, and identifying potential candidates. Over the next three months, the Congress plans to undertake district tours and form key committees to ensure readiness for the elections.
Ulaka also highlighted key issues in the state, including the lack of quality education, rising unemployment, and the sharp increase in the prices of essential goods. He was particularly vocal about the challenges faced by women, noting an increase in atrocities against them, as well as widespread corruption in various sectors. Ulaka accused the current government of institutionalizing corruption, citing reports of a 20% cut being demanded in nearly every public service transaction.
Supporting Ulaka’s leadership, S Supongmeren Jamir, the lone Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland and NPCC president, expressed confidence in the party’s future under Ulaka’s guidance. He stated, “We are confident that with the leadership of experienced leaders like Ulaka, we can bring justice and development to our people.”
With a focus on tackling corruption, enhancing development, and addressing pressing state issues, the Nagaland Congress aims to restore the state’s prosperity and bring about the much-needed change in governance.
