Dimapur, May 26 (EMN): Winding up the campaigning to the forth coming bye election to the lone Lok Sabha poll, the ‘secular forces’ in the state of Nagaland geared up for the NPF candidate, C Apok Jamir in its battle against the PDA Candidature, Tokheho Yepthomi.
Addressing the last leg of campaign at Mon town, former chief minister and the Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislature party leader, TR Zeliang called upon all the secular minded people to vote in favour of C Apok Jamir stating, ‘if people want solution to the Naga political issue, vote for NPF, but if Nagas want more elections, then vote for NDPP.’
Appreciating the Congress, NPP, AAP and some BJP and JDU for extending their support to the NPF, Zeliang stated that this unity of the secular forces will create a huge impact in ensuring victory in the upcoming bye poll.
In his address, Zeliang reminded the people not to be confused between the NPF and NDPP as NPF is a regional party unlike the NDPP which is a Nationalist party.
According to a press release issued by the NPF Press Bureau, the former chief minister accused the present PDA Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for creating chaos in the state affairs for the last four years after his journey to Delhi miserably failed.
The opposition leader alleged that Rio ‘after failing to get ministerial berth at Delhi Parliament returned to state politics and tried every means to dismantle the government as well as the NPF party for the past four years.’ “This act of Rio is nothing but a self cantered interest and benefit,” Zeliang added.
Zeliang maintained that Rio’s 11 years rule from 2003-14 have not achieved even half of what his government had done in four years.
Lambasting the much acclaimed PDA govt’s promise of repairing all district headquarter roads within 60 days, Zeliang asserted that no funds had been brought to the state by the ruling Government except the money that were sanctioned during his last ministry, adding that the austerity measures and the anti VIP culture introduced to fool the people of Nagaland by PDA government has become a mockery as people has woken up to see the reality for themselves in the way the government of the day is being run.
The former minister called upon the people of Nagaland to rise up to the occasion and vote for the NPF candidate in the common quest for protecting unity and identity of the Nagas and for protecting democracy and it’s Constitutional values that uphold freedom of religion and unity in diversity.
Apok Jamir, in his speech has appealed to the people of Nagaland to vote for him, stating that the upcoming bye election will be a litmus test for the Nagas and shall be crucial for determining the future of the Naga. “It will be a battle of protecting our Christianity and secularism against communal forces,” he said and assured that on being elected, he shall become the voice for the Nagas at the centre and stand for the cause of the Nagas.
NPF Spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon in his address assured the people of Nagaland that the NPF party and its 26 MLAs are very much intact and further appealed to the people not to be swayed away by Rio’s wild allegations hurled at NPF being divided into three groups which is nothing but a cheap political gimmick.
He also stated that Rio had abandoned his Parliamentary seat at a time when the Naga political issue is in its most crucial juncture and added that it is nothing more than to build his own selfish empire which is a rare characteristic of a leader.
The meeting was also addressed by NPF working president, Apong Pongener where he stated that the NPF is a political party that exist to work for peace and prosperity of the Naga people and to facilitate the peace process for Naga Solution.
Adding a special touch to the NPF rally at Mon, NPCC vice president, Tingyeih and DCC president of Mon, Chingwang Konyak, and a host of leaders from NPP and Independent candidates from the last general election also attended and spoke in the meeting echoing the same sentiments for joining secular forces against communalism.
Adding another feather to the cap of the NPF, the Mandal unit office bearers of BJP from Wakching, Tapi, Aboi and Tobu constituencies resigned from their respective party position to support the NPF candidature.
Beside others, MLA CL John Thonwang and EE Panteang also spoke on the occasion, all voicing out that NPF victory will push the agenda and commitment of the Government of India, ‘Election for solution’, asserting further that this bye election is extraordinary in the Naga political context and will set the course of history for the Nagas.
NPF president confident of winning by-poll
The Naga People’s Front President, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Saturday expressed his satisfaction over the progress of the campaign for the NPF official candidate C Apo Jamir for the Lok Sabha by-election and fully confident that the NPF will win with thumping majority if the election is help free and fair.
Addressing the party workers at his residential office as the campaign closes in the afternoon at 4 pm, the NPF president had the hope that people will participate the poll in free and fair manner. Nagaland will go by-poll on May 28.
According to the press release received here on Saturday from the NPF Press Bureau, referring to the complaint lodged against him by the BJP / NDPP, Liezietsu said that ‘it was the sign of desperateness on their part.’ He justified his stand by saying that he is defending the Article 25 of the Constitution of India which safeguards freedom of religion and in Nagaland that freedom is there for everyone including Hindus and Muslims, he added.
However, he lamented that this freedom is no more in some of the BJP ruled states in the country where atrocities were committed against the minority groups in which the Christians suffered the most.
He also pointed out that atrocities committed against the Christians rose from 177 incidents in 2015 to 351 in 2017 and maintained that he had collected little information from the website “Persecution Relief-www.persecutionrelief.org. Therefore, the president exhorted the party people to take the stand firmly to defend our faith-Christian faith.
Liezietsu also went on to state that the opponent (NDPP/BJP) had lodged a complaint to the Election Commission of India against him that his speech in support of his stand (in defending his own faith) might resulted in violent clashes and street fights.
The President also warned the party people to remain alert saying that this has clearly indicated their intention to create problems during voting wherever they find their position is bad.
However, he advised the party people to remain calm and ensure free and fair election and wished the party people the best of luck.
