Correspondent
KOHIMA, MARCH 5
CHIEF Minister Neiphiu Rio while asserting to take up Naga political issue and the problems of the North Eastern region in Delhi said it is only a speculation of the people that the Naga People’s Front (NPF) will shatter into pieces once he goes away.
In a tete-a-tete with a section of media persons on the sidelines of the Nagaland Wrestling Championship at Khouciezie (local ground) here, Rio said “I was the one who offered and I am happy that the party (NPF) has endorsed my candidature”.
Asked why he is heading for Delhi despite being the Chief Minister of the state, Rio said “the Northeast or for that matter the people of Nagaland… our voices are not heard and our coming together as North East Regional Political Forum (NERPF), we want to raise the common issues of the North East.
Besides, he also said the North Easterners also have to fully participate in the Look East policy because we are the corridors but without us they (Centre) draws the policies.
He further noted that the whole of North East region lacks infrastructure, institutions while also maintaining that the NERPF’s 17-point memorandum which had been submitted to the Prime Minister and all Central leaders has to be taken up alongside the recent problems of racism faced by the people of the region in Delhi.
“So, we have to learn how to come together and fight together for our rights so that we are not treated as second class citizens but the mainland people should recognize us… know us and stop asking questions or raising eyebrows as to who you are or what you are?” he maintained.
Moreover, he said, “Every time North East or Nagaland… we are in the news for wrong reasons, not for right reasons.”
Maintaining that “Nagas have the ongoing political issue which the Government of India has to decide,” he said “we need fulltime campaigning and speaking to the policy makers on the issue.
“So we have to highlight our problems and also make central leadership and mainland people understand,” Rio said while exuding confidence that he can play an important role to take the issues of the Nagas in particular and North East region in general.
“I feel that I can also play an important part,” he said.
Rio further stated that “Government in Delhi is running the country on party line, which is not good for the country, as well as for democracy. Therefore, whoever comes to power, we (north east) have to collectively raise our voice and make them understanding.
“They (Centre) cannot continue to ignore us, and if we are considered to be a part of the Indian Union they have to give us the due share and give us a patient hearing. Nobody can ignore us,” he said.
Asked whether NERPF is contemplating to set up candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, he said “we are not a political party but only a platform to come together and take up the common problems faced by the people of the region”.
He, however, said the NERPF need not necessarily have candidates in all the states, but wherever necessary we are going in understanding and so it should not a problem.
Commenting on speculations that the NPF Party or the present government would suffer a major jolt in his absence, Rio said the party (NPF) is very strong and has the requisite number to run the government with landslide victory while other members are also extending cooperation and support to us.
He expressed confidence stating that there are lots of capable and experienced leaders in the party who can take care of the state government even in his absence.
“I don’t see any problem, rest all is speculations,” he added.
