Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and President of Republican Party of India (Athawale) (RPI-A), Ramdas Athawale on Monday said that it is a good opportunity to elect RPI (A) candidate for development in the state.
Addressing a public rally for Republican Party of India (A) candidate Loguseng Semp from12 Tseminyu AC at Rengma Sports Association ground, Tseminyu on Monday, he said the party has an alliance with NDA at the Centre and he is one of the ministers in Modi's govt. from RPI (A).
‘Since the RPI (A) party is supporting NDA in the Centre, he tried to have an alliance with BJP and NDPP in Nagaland. But BJP and NDPP are already an alliance here, so the RPI (A) decided to contest in eight assembly constituencies in Nagaland in the upcoming assembly poll.
‘If candidate Semp is elected, he said he will talk to the NDPP leader and CM Neiphiu Rio and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to let him become the MLA. He added he would try asking for a ministerial berth for him.
'This is an important bargain with NDPP and BJP. But in the Centre, the RPI (A) is also supporting BJP', he said.
"If you want development then elect the RPI (A) candidate", he added.
'Our candidate is an architect by profession but he will be the architect of this constituency', Athawale said, adding that Semp is a 'nice and strong man and a popular candidate'.
He also acknowledged that under the leadership of Nagaland President RPI, many have joined the party.
The MoS also said that his Ministry is for social justice and empowerment. 'We want to give social equality, economic equality to everyone and RPI (A) is also considering all communities not only SC, STs, minority OBCs but the general category as well.
RPI (A) candidate from 12 Tseminyu Assembly Constituency Loguseng Semp, while expressing confidence that RPI (A) will form an alliance with BJP in Nagaland, said 'When RPI (A) is alliance with BJP in Centre why not here (in Nagaland) if we win'.
On the NDPP-BJP alliance in Nagaland, he said such things are bound to happen as it is the nature of politics, to get political mileage.
The RPI (A) is more into welfare of the downtrodden. In that way Nagas are tribal,’ he said, and expressed hope the party will really do something for the Nagas. He further urged voters to vote for him for development.
‘Tseminyu is given a district but is yet to be developed and it needs young leaders. The only fear is that money might come into play,’ he said, adding that money alone cannot do.
There are five candidates contesting from 12 Tseminyu AC in this election. He expressed hope that people elect the best of the best and carefully choose the candidate.
Mughato Ayemi, Nagaland State president of RPI (A), said that the party is secular and is a party of the minority. He informed that over 40 candidates asked for the party's ticket.
‘But the party being the first to contest in Nagaland, being new and small, we gave tickets to those who are capable and potential,’ he added. RPI (A) is contesting in eight assembly constituencies.
The RPI (A) will be contesting in 47-Aboi AC, 49-Tamlu AC, 51-Noksen AC, 52 Longkhim Chare AC, 54-Tuensang Sardar-II, 60-Pungro-Kiphire AC, and 5-Ghaspani-II, and 12 Tseminyu AC.