With support of 60 MLAs, hopeful for a thumping majority in LS Poll, says Mannen

MOKOKCHUNG — Advisor for Law and Justice and Land Revenue, TN Mannen expressed confidence that the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate will secure a resounding victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls with the support of the 60 MLAs.

He made these remarks on the sidelines of a programme at Kobulong in Mokokchung district, on Tuesday.

“For the first time in Nagaland, 60 MLAs have sworn to support the PDA candidate. 60 MLAs means they represent the entire state of Nagaland, therefore, we are hopeful to get a thumping majority,” he said.

When queried about his preparation for the upcoming poll in his Assembly constituency — 23 Impur — Mannen replied that the segment is a very sensitive constituency because it is a Christian centre.

He went on to state that religion and political affiliations are separate matters.

Referring to the NDPP’s partnership with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the PDA government, he said that, projecting as anti-Christian because of partnership with the BJP is not correct.

Mannen expressed optimism that the election result in the constituency will improve compared to the past.

Earlier, in the programme, Mannen asserted that the biggest challenge for the 23 Impur Assembly Constituency is to bring unity among the villages and the people.

Lamenting the constituency lagging behind in development because of ‘cancer of disunity’ and infighting, he said fostering unity and doing away with the hatred brought about by politics should be the first step towards progress.

Further, he reiterated that the 60 MLAs of the state have come together to support the PDA consensus candidate in the 18th Lok Sabha election, and called upon the party workers to discharge their duties and help the party candidate win.

Meanwhile, the ceremonial hosting of party flag and oath taking was administered by the party’s region president in the presence of Mannen, NDPP Central Executive Committee members and party rank and file from Mokokchung region.