To demit Chief Minister’s office within two weeks
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 17
The newly elected Lok Sabha Member from Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio today asserted that he can function at any level even if Modi government does not assign him with any ministerial portfolio at the Centre.
Talking to media persons at the CM’s Office before leaving for Delhi along with three Cabinet ministers TR Zeliang, G. Kaito Ayeh and CM Chang this morning, Rio said, “We are not in the position to ask… we are at the mercy of BJP-led NDA government.”
“That should be very clear to the people and the people should not be disappointed if I am not given any assignment in the government. Too much expectation is not good,” he said while optimistically stating “I can function at any level”.Affirming that it is NDA government and he is part and partial of the government, Rio said Nagaland had suffered very badly under Congress-led UPA government at the Centre but with the coming of our allied government things will change for the Naga people.
Citing that the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his two terms failed to visit Nagaland officially, he said “that shows they (Congress) don’t care for the small states and minority, though they talk a lot. “We have suffered financially, politically and in every way without getting blessing from the Central government during the last 10 years,” he said.
The last ten years of Congress-led UPA rule at the Centre was the worst time for Nagaland state as most of the projects could not be implemented due to fund constraint. “Specifically last 10 years we struggled because of the Congress-led UPA at the Centre and indifferent attitude of the NPCC because of which so many things could not be implemented.
“They tried to strangulate and suppress us. However, we survived,” Rio said and attributed the success of DAN to the unity of the party while also expressing the hope that with the allied government coming to power at Centre Naga people would see improvements.
PEOPLE’S VICTORY
On winning the state’s only seat, Rio said the victory is the second highest in the country, after Narendra Modi’s win in Vadodara, it is not only DAN’s victory but people’s victory. He said “I will be privileged to continue to work for the development of the State and the Naga people”.
DEMITTING OFFICE
Stating that since TR Zeliang has been unanimously elected as NPF Legislature Party leader and the same has been endorsed by DAN partners, Rio said today he is going to Delhi and once things settle he will come back and demit office as early as possible.
Mention may be made here that Rio has to demit either of the office in the State or Centre within 14 days from the day of declaration of the result.
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY LOST
Commenting on the NPF defeat in Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, Rio described it as a “lost golden opportunity”. “I felt very bad. It is a bad luck for the Nagas,” he said.
Rio said had the NPF won even in Manipur it would have changed the equation for Nagas especially on the emotional integration and Naga political issue.
“Congress has not defeated us, Nagas have defeated us,” Rio rued.
POLITICAL ISSUE TOP
PRIORITY
Meanwhile, the outgoing CM Neiphiu Rio and CM-designate TR Zeliang said that they will pursue the Naga political issue vigorously with the Centre while also calling upon all Naga political groups to unite. “Solution to the Naga political problem is one of the most important promises we made to the people. Therefore, we will vigorously pursue what we have committed to the people,” said Rio while asserting that all Naga Political Groups should unite to achieve this common aspiration.
The Chief Minister-designate TR Zeliang also said that solution to the pending Naga political problem will be the foremost task. He said Nagas could not move any further because of the pending Naga political issue, therefore, the priority will be given to bringing about an acceptable solution to the Naga political issue. He sought the cooperation of all legislators on this matter.
As the new leader of the Party, Zeliang said there are many challenges ahead including bringing in industrial development, improving road connectivity, communication etc. But he said since the Naga political issue has been long pending, our priority will be its solution as there cannot be development and progress in the state without a solution to the vexed problem. “We have to bring permanent peace and solution for development,” he said.
TR Zeliang exuded confidence that Rio’s present at the Centre will make a difference and will create impact on all front, especially with the Naga political issue.
Further, maintaining that NPF is pre-poll alliance of BJP-led NDA, he expressed the hope that with NDA coming to power at the Centre, the ‘land locked state of the Naga people will be unlocked’.
On the possible split within the NPF legislators over the leadership problem, he said it was only a difference of opinion but now the matter has been resolved and all elected members have come to a consensus and committed to the transition that has been smooth.
