Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 10
The central executive council (CEC) of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) held its last formal meeting on Thursday at the party’s Central Office Hq, Kohima. A host of NPF legislators led by Chief Minister TR Zeliang and CEC delegates from Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh attended the meeting.
Delivering the presidential address, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu highlighted some significant changes and events during the last three years of the present tenure of office. He mentioned the 12th state general elections 2013 wherein the party saw a win with absolute majority for the first time. He said though the NPF had won with absolute majority, the party remained true to its commitment with its alliance partners and the DAN partners came together to form the government. While giving the credit to all the party members for the rare feat, Dr. Shürhozelie made a special mention of the efforts of the former Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio in placing DAN III firmly on the saddle.He also termed the observance of the Golden Jubilee of the party in December 2013 as a significant event and expressed pride for the “chequered history” of the party enduring 50 years against all odds.
The party president also summarized the events leading to the Lok Sabha elections 2014 where the former Chief Minister, Rio contested and won as the DAN consensus candidate and the subsequent transition of the Chief Minister’s power to TR Zeliang. In the events of changes taking place, he stated that some senior leaders could not join the new arrangement. He appealed to those leaders not to take it as the end of the road but to broadmindedly uphold the policies and principles of the party in letter and spirit as the party can deliver goods to the people when it stands in unity and solidarity. He said the party is broadly democratic not only in nature but in practice as well and flexibility is always there for proper adjustments to be made in due course of time.
Liezietsu said leaders can come and go but the NPF party will continue to be there to serve the people, to represent their interest and their personality. He called upon all the party functionaries and members to march forward constructively to achieve the political agenda that lay ahead.
During the meeting, the CEC members while reiterating earlier resolutions on solution of Indo-Naga political problem, expressed enthusiasm on resumption of talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) and hoped that both sides will participate with sincerity and open minds so that amicable solution will be arrived at the earliest. The CEC also endorsed the NPF president to constitute nomination committees for office bearers to the central, divisions and area units offices for the ensuing tenure with effect from January 2015. The election of the new teams will be held in November next during the NPF general convention which is likely to be held in Mokokchung.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang also spoke at the meeting and congratulated the office bearers on their completion of their tenure. The meeting proceeding was chaired by NPF secretary general, KG Kenye and State Chaplain, Rev. K Luruo invoked God’s blessings. Working presidents Huskha Yepthomi and Apong Pongener also delivered brief speeches.
