Guwahati: A day after announcing that the Naga political issue would be resolved within six months, the Nagaland governor P B Acharya on Wednesday triggered a fresh controversy by saying that communism is a dead ideology which has no relevance in today’s world.
Former RSS pracharak told reporters at Rajbhawan, in Kohima that though he holds outgoing Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar in very high regard for his simplicity and honesty, he failed to ensure development of the state.
Pointing out that communism is a dead ideology across the world now, the Governor said, “They (communists) are non-believers, we are not. As India is a secular country, they have equal rights as all believers of religion. I have nothing against their philosophy, but their ideology is no longer relevant.”
Admitting that Mr Sarkar is a “simple and honest” person, he said that his simplicity and honesty could not be translated into development and progress of the state when he was in power. “I have great respect for him. He is known for his integrity and simplicity. I shared a great relationship with him when I was the governor of Tripura and so, I was shocked when he lost power. Mr Sarkar maybe known for his honesty and simplicity, but he was also elected for bringing progress and development to the state,” said the Nagaland Governor while regretting that his own constituency did not have good educational institution or even a proper hospital.
Asserting that he has high regard for the efficient cadre-based oragnisation of the communist party, Governor Mr Acharya said, “I do not agree with communist ideology which is now dying in its own fatherland. There was a necessity for this ideology at a particular point of time but that phase has gone now.”
Earlier, Mr Acharya also announced that the Naga political issue would be resolved within six months. He asserted that if Nagaland and the Northeast were to progress, then the Naga issue should be brought to a conclusion and welfare of Nagas should be on the agenda.
