Different candidates, same ‘change’

[caption id="attachment_164783" align="alignnone" width="550"] (L-R) Azheto Zhimomi (NPF), Wedie-U-Kronu (NPP), Lun Tungnung (INC), and Tokheho Yepthomi (NDPP) at the ‘common platform’ on Feb. 14.[/caption] Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, Feb. 14: At the Mandeville Gardens in Purana Bazaar on Feb. 14, four candidates to the Nagaland assembly elections from Dimapur-3 spoke of a common dream: Bringing “change.” The candidates were Azheto Zhimomi (Naga People’s Front-NPF), Wedie-U-Kronu (National People’s Party-NPP), Tokheho Yepthomi (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party-NDPP) and Lun Tungnung (Indian National Congress-INC). The organiser of the event was East Dimapur Sumi Youth Organisation (EDSYO), one of several community organizations that also decided to hold the now commonly called ‘common platform’—a combined discourse on political agenda—as Nagaland readies for the assembly elections. The programme was conducted with the theme “know your leaders” which exactly what was expected as nearly a thousand electors gathered. Azheto Zhimomi of the NPF assured that he would ‘promote and safeguard the rights of minorities.’ When queried about his ‘short-term’ and ‘long-term’ plans, he spoke about developing constituency first, promote the youth, and “do good work for the Naga people.” Wedie-U-Kronu from the NPP who is one of five women contesting this year said that only “paper wars” cannot be fought and that she needs the support of the people to fight the corrupted system. “The government should be better than what it already is,” she said. “I don’t want to take on veteran leaders and politicians but I want to wipe out corrupt leaders,” said Kronu. Unfortunately, Kronu had to leave the programme before the citizens could ask her any questions. Lun Tungnung is contesting on the INC ticket. He called Dimapur-3 mini-Nagaland. He was of the opinion that the public should look at the individual and not the party. “We cannot live in isolation,” he said. Tribalism is one of the many reasons why Nagaland cannot move forward. Tungnung was asked by the public about who exactly was ‘corrupt’ and how one can deal with the branding of being corrupt. The candidate answered: A situation compels a person to be corrupt. He gave the example of a poor man who probably would have no choice but to steal to feed his family. But, the candidate added, corruption is a “disease” that has “destroyed Nagaland.” “I want to start from the home ground which is Dimapur-3 and not money but the time of intelligence has come,” he explained. NDPP candidate Tokheho Yepthomi said electors must all “introspect where things have gone wrong” with the candidates and representatives. Not all the 60 members of the legislative assembly are corrupt, the politician asserted. If elected he assured of prepaid metre systems for electricity ‘so that nobody gets cheated’; 50% subsidy for young entrepreneurs; give water supply top priority. Apart from checking lapses and irregular government employees he said that technical colleges would be given importance. When asked why vendor stalls at Purana Bazaar were rented out to non-locals he said that all corrective measures will be taken after the town council is set up. The president of the EDSYO Reuben Chophy spoke at the programme. He said that initially the organization was worried about the turnout at the programme. Expressing satisfaction at the numbers, he said that the turnout at such kinds of events ‘is mostly for financial benefits but this platform has “served its purpose.”’ Each candidate also had a representative from their respective party to speak about the manifestos of their party and the vision that each candidate had for the people.