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KOHIMA — In a ceremony held at the party’s Central Office in Kohima on Thursday, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) handed over its ticket to Kachui Timothy Zimik to contest the II-Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
During the event, NPF president Apong Pongener, along with MLA and NPF Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo Nienu, and MLA and Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon, administered the pledge to Zimik in the presence of party workers.
Addressing the gathering, Pongener underscored the NPF’s commitment to the Nagas’ struggle for identity and unity, emphasising that the 60-year-old party transcends mere politics to embody a movement dedicated to preserving the Naga heritage in the northeast region.
The president outlined the party’s objectives, which include advocating for a peaceful solution to the Indo-Naga political issue while safeguarding Naga unity and integrity by integrating all contiguous Naga ancestral areas under one administrative roof, and also to provide protection to all the ethnic groups who are indigenous inhabitants of all Naga ancestral areas.
He also highlighted the NPF’s mission to bring about electoral reforms ‘suited to our way of life’, combat societal and governmental corruption, restore self-discipline and self reliance, and promote dignity of labour and ‘work culture’ among the Nagas.
Expressing his satisfaction with Zimik's nomination, Pongener urged party members to rally behind the candidate and ensure victory in the upcoming parliamentary election.
Further, he said that the party is growing from strength to strength in Manipur and acknowledged the incumbent MP, Dr. Lorho S Pfoze, working president Samuel Risom, and Kho John, for showing interest in the party ticket. He urged them to not leave the party, stating that they are assets of the party.
Zimik, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the party for entrusting him with the responsibility and reiterated his commitment to addressing the Naga political issue.
“I have a mission to accomplish and that is the Naga political issue,” he said, as he underscored the intertwined history of the Nagas and the NPF party, pledging to advocate for Nagas’ interests in the parliament.
Highlighting the sacrifices made for the Naga cause, he called for unity within the Naga society and stressed the importance of lobbying and dialogue to achieve a lasting solution. He said that the division in Naga society is an internal issue and not one from the Centre, and called for unity.
He opined that the Naga solution should be based on the Framework Agreement which he was associated with while in service, and said that the issue needs to be raised in the parliament, in order to get the required solution.
Among others, Zimik also stressed the need for equality and justice, the delimitation issue in Manipur as well as the prevailing situation in the state, while asserting the need to find a way to bring peace in the state through dialogue.
The event also saw Manipur MLA Leishiyo Keishing and Nagaland’s MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu affirming their support for the party and Zimik’s candidacy, stressing the NPF’s significance in Naga social, religious, and political life.
The nomination ceremony concluded with remarks from party leaders and a dedicatory prayer by Bendang Walling, Pastor of Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo (KABA).