Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) candidate from 2 Dimapur-II assembly constituency, Y Vikheho Awomi, has likened candidates of elections to bus drivers and urged the voters to choose their leader wisely.
Addressing an election rally at Lhomithi Colony on February 20 evening, Awomi said the destiny of Dimapur-II or Nagaland in general, would depend on the kind of leaders the people put their faith in, an update informed.
“You are like the passengers of a bus travelling to Guwahati. I am its driver. You pray to God so you reach safely. You leave everything to the driver. You are sleeping but the driver is not. Your lives are in his hands. If he is concerned about your safety, you will reach your destination. If he is not, you all will die along with him,” he said.
“So, choose your leader wisely,” he emphasised.
The LJP candidate lamented the lack of development in Nagaland over the decades.
“Nagaland got statehood on December 1, 1963. It will turn 60 soon. I am hurt that our state has hardly progressed and I believe you are too,” he said.
For context, he gave the example of Telangana, the last Indian state to be created in 2014.
“Nagaland was the 16th state and Telangana was created more than 50 years later. But Telangana has raced ahead, leaving Nagaland far behind in terms of development. It should have been the other way around,” Awomi said.
He said the right kind of leadership would help Nagaland move towards financial security.
“Even government employees are not financially secure. How will you get your salary or pension if the money does not come from Delhi?” he asked, underscoring the need to transform Nagaland with qualitative educational and healthcare institutions, industries and a push for the farm sector. Awomi said he chose the 'helicopter’ (symbol of LJP) to help bring about the change Nagaland needs. He reminded the people of his tenure as the first chairperson of the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) to drive home the point.
He had undertaken a few steps such as proper disposal of garbage during his stint as the DMC chief.
“I won’t say I can do everything for you, but I can strive to live up to your expectations with your support. If I am elected, force me to work for you,” he said, advising the electorate to assess the performance of a candidate before casting his or her vote.
Awomi is facing sitting MLA Moatoshi Longkumer of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and S Amento Chishi of the Congress in the Dimapur-II constituency.