Naga accord: Sitharaman says Congress lacks ‘statesmanship’

New Delhi, Aug. 6 : Attacking the Congress for its criticism of the Naga peace accord, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said that the party lacked ‘statesmanship’.

“A peace accord in which majority of groups have agreed and become part of it but the Congress doesn’t have the statesmanship to see it. Arunachal Chief Minister and Ninong Ering had come out openly about Naga accord, but now the Congress is not supporting it,” said Sitharaman.

“Placards were thrown in the Speaker’s chamber, blocking her from being visible to members and the Congress says we violate rules,” she added.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has criticised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government for signing a peace accord with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) without consulting the party, saying that reflected the ‘arrogance of the government’.

On Monday, the Government of India and the NSCN successfully concluded the dialogue on Naga political issue and signed an agreement in Prime Minister Modi’s presence.

In his statement at the signing ceremony, the Prime Minister lauded the courage and wisdom of the Naga leaders and civil society and thanked them for their co-operation in reaching the agreement. (ANI)