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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 14 (EMN): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nagaland state felicitated its party candidate, Lirimong Sangtam, for the 60th Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituency and also handed over the party ticket held at the state office headquarters in Kohima on October 14.
Speaking on the occasion, advisor to the chief minister and secretary general of Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Abu Metha, pointed out that the PDA government would carry forward the development in all fronts under ‘Sabka Saath Sab Vika, Sabka Vishwas.’
While conveying the chief minister’s greetings and regards to the candidate, he also extended greetings from NDPP, the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) partners, which are ruling the state with pre-poll alliance since the 2018 general election.
He added that NDPP was also keen to set up a candidate in the same constituency but the PDA coordination committee along with central leadership of the BJP had agreed to set up a BJP candidate. He reiterated that the NDPP party led by its president would extend full support to the BJP candidate saying, “He is our PDA candidate.”
Metha maintained that the BJP-NDPP pre-poll alliance of seat-sharing formula is the first time in the history of the state, which was announced by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, in Tuensang.
He added that NDPP is proud to have an alliance with BJP and assured to work closely for the people of Nagaland, which was mandated by the people. He said NDPP would uphold the mandate of the people and work for better coordination and understanding.
“In democracy we respect the voice of the people, the voice of the people is the ultimate as far as democracy is concerned,” he said.
He urged the BJP leadership in the state to be the voice “on behalf of everybody to impress upon the government of India to bring an early solution to the Indo-Naga political problems” and expedite the solution as the people of Nagaland is longing for peace, progress and settlement of the decade-old Naga problem.
In his presidential speech, president of BJP Nagaland and minister for Higher and Technical Education and Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along, informed that nine applicants have applied for the party ticket.
He maintained that the PDA alliance chief minister Neiphiu Rio is 'leading the state robustly.' While appreciating the leadership of its alliance partner NDPP for agreeing to seat-sharing, Along said it was ‘magnanimous’ even if the need was so genuine to set up its own candidate.
He said, “I want to assure the people of Nagaland that this is the magnanimous relationship of the PDA where the NDPP and BJP are surging forward towards a collective role to uplift and empower the people of Nagaland”.
He has sought the support and mandate of the people from the constituency for the PDA candidate and said, “If you aspire for good leadership from the PDA candidate, you also have to aspire to sacrifice”.
He further called upon the BJP workers to extend their support and appealed to the rank and file of the NDPP to support the candidature of Lirimong Sangtam for a stronger PDA alliance.
The BJP national spokesperson and advisor, Mmhonlumo Kikon, reiterated that the BJP ticket given to Lirimong Sangtam is a PDA ticket. He added that Kiphire, being the aspirational district, having another leader from BJP representing the district would help in improving the livelihood of the people in villages and enabled them to realise the fullest potential of the district under the banner “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas”.
Kikon added that Lirimong Sangtam represents the youth of Northeast and added that the party favours young leaders. Stating that Nagaland Legislative Assembly has the highest percentage of young leaders, he expressed desire to add the tally by supporting Sangtam’s candidature who represents the largest political party in the world.
Minister for Soil and Water Conservation, Geology and Mining and minister in-charge of Kiphire district also spoke during the programme and sought the support and cooperation of the PDA partners.
The BJP candidate, Lirimong Sangtam, has acknowledged the party for the trust reposed on him as party candidate and appealed to the rank and file of the party to support to work together. On being privileged to be the PDA candidate, he assured that ‘no stone will be left unturned’.
Speeches were also delivered by BJP state vice president and in-charge of Kiphire district, Thsangse L Sangtam and the state general secretary, Khevishe Sema.
The programme was attended by the minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu; advisor for Skill Development, Labour, Employment and CAWD, Kazheto Kinimi; and BJP party officials amongst others.