National parties are bound by ‘high command’ from New Delhi, says TR Zeliang

Dimapur, Feb. 25 (EMN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) Legislature Party leader TR Zeliang on Friday said that legislators from the party can represent the Naga people without any fear while those from national parties are bound by the ‘high command’ from New Delhi.

The former Nagaland chief minister, who is also the chairman of United Democratic Alliance (UDA), was speaking at an election campaign in Bendramai village for former legislator Francis Ngajokpa, who is contesting in the upcoming Manipur elections from Tadubi constituency.

He said that NPF is the only party which can protect the Nagas and is serious about theNaga political issue.

The Party has been playing an instrumental role and at every given opportunity, as an active facilitator, it had vigorously pursued with the Government of India for early settlement of the Naga political problem, he said according to the update from the party.

He also recalled how three controversial bills —  Protection of the Manipur People Bill 2015, the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill 2015 – were withheld by the then President of India Pranab Mukherjee after stiff opposition from NPF legislators who resigned from the Assembly in protest.

He went on to narrate how the Congress regime under the leadership of Ibobi Singh tried to stop the launch of NPF in Manipur.

“I was assigned as Manipur In-charge under the leadership of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, President of the NPF Party & Sh. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland. During the time, we were not allowed to land in Manipur even by Chopper in order to launch the NPF Party. Even the then Union Home Minister warned Sh. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland not to go to Manipur due to security reasons. However, Sh. Neiphiu Rio, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu and myself managed to reach Senapati and successfully launched the NPF Party in Senapati,” he was quoted as saying.

Citing the Ngajokpa’s past achievements as well as his commitment to serve the people, he urged the gathering to vote for him.