Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 30
With barely a5 days left for the11th Northern Angami-II assembly constituency bye-election, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) today officially kicked off its campaign at Chiechama village. Bye –elections were announced after the assembly seat, fell vacant following the resignation of former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, to contest the Lok Sabha polls. With the state Congress pulling out the Northern Angami II assembly constituency will see straight fight between NPF candidate Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu and BJP candidate Visasolie Lhoungu.
NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu described Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu as a promising young and dynamic person with vision. The party decided to give him the ticket, believing in him, he said.
While recalling the events that led to the formation of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) in 2003 with the NPF leading the coalition, the party president said the NPF party has improved its stand over the years and governed the State well for three consecutive terms.
Stating that a good and staunch leader as well as the unanimity of the people are needed to achieve such feat, he attributed this to the efforts of former Chief Minister and current Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio.
He acknowledged the party workers and the people from the Northern Angami II constituency who supported NPF party and for giving a good leader like Rio to the Nagas. He said it is difficult for politicians to constantly stay in people’s favour but Nagas are grateful to this constituency for giving a leader who has made a chief minister for over 10 years.
“The candidate (person) may change now but do not let the party stand change,” Dr. Liezietsu appealed to the gathering. He stressed that NPF functionaries and supporters should not point at other parties, adding, anything is achievable if they are united and continue to stay united.
Referring to the contest between the DAN partners NPF and BJP in the bye-election, Liezietsu pointed out an analogy of this contest to a Tenyimia indigenous wrestling bout wherein, he said wrestlers do not joke when they are inside the ring but when they get outside the ring, they have a bond of camaraderie.
The NPF president asserted that NPF party stands for the Naga people and their rights, and the bye-election is an opportunity for the party supporters to rise to the challenge and take the vision of the party as well as the Naga people forward.
In his address, Chief Minister TR Zeliang said the selection of Dr. Neiphrezo as perty candidate, mandated by the NPF Kohima units, is proof that villages and the grassroots are the high command of the NPF regional party. Laying emphasis that BJP putting up a candidate to vie for the constituency seat will not be a hindrance to NPF’s coalition with BJP, Zeliang said there will be no disturbance in the alliance and the two parties will continue to work together as a coalition no matter what the outcome is.
The Chief Minister also said the NPF who had 38 MLAs before Rio vacating the Northern Angami II seat still enjoys a comfortable position with 37-member strength. However, he said winning this seat will benefit the party and such a possibility is in the hands of the people, the voters, he stressed.
While underscoring the need for a free and fair election, the chief minister told the people of the constituency that he would expect a win for the party in the bye-election by fair means. He also sought the participation of the youth and women and further expressed the need for the village councils to have consultations so as to work with principle.
Forthcoming bye-poll not a ‘friendly contest’: Rio
Former Chief Minister and Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio today said though the NPF and BJP are coalition partners in the DAN ministry, they are two different political parties with different ideologies.
Speaking at the NPF 11th Northern Angami II Assembly Constituency bye-election official campaign kick-off at Chiechama, the MP asserted that friendship or ally is different and the stand of the two parties is also different.
Pitted against each other in an election, both parties will be competing for strength/power to lead the people and only one party will win, he said.
“This is not a friendly contest,” he stated and called upon party workers to work hard for a victory and take the NPF forward.
Rio also emphasized that while the State is older than 50 years, the cock party is as old although it has seen changes in its nomenclature. The party, with its history, policies, vision and ideologies, was voted to power for three consecutive terms and this is a record for a regional party in the State, he said.
Pointing out that while Nagas have a unique history and identity, he said the Naga political issue is also unique. The MP asserted that despite political dialogue which has been going for 18 years, a permanent settlement is yet to be reached. “We aspire to bring solution and peace to our land during our time,” he said.
Stating that many people have the misconception that politics is like a sport played with money, wealth and blame games, he emphasized the need to change such mindset. He urged upon party workers, functionaries and supporters to reflect and deliberate on how to take the party policies forward with humility and sincerity.
The MP asserted that Northern Angami-II being the former Chief Minister’s and Member of Parliament’s constituency, it is considered as an important constituency. However, the party’s past feats in the constituency were not achieved by our abilities but through God’s grace and the unity of the people, he added.
Also stating that it is an embarrassment for all when election times are considered as the time to make money, and hurt opponents with rumours and lies, Rio expressed hope that the people will refrain from indulging in unfair practices during the forthcoming bye-election.
Urging upon all party workers and functionaries to collaborate with one another and spread knowledge about the work policies and visions of the NPF party, he stated that the party leaders look forward for a victory in this constituency.
