Naga electorates most expensive in the country: Johny Rengma

Dimapur, Feb 27: National vice president of BJP ST Morcha and in-charge North East, Johny Rengma said BJP will win the ensuing general elections in Manipur with absolute majority and form the next government. Addressing media persons in Dimapur after an extensive election campaign from February 21-26 in tribal areas of Manipur, Johny Rengma observed electioneering in that state was less expensive unlike Nagaland. He noticed that people in Manipur do not make elaborate food arrangement and thereby put financial burden on their respective candidates. Despite the clean election campaign launched by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Johny regretted that electorates in Nagaland have become the most expensive in the whole of the country. He said Nagas should derive benefit from the experience of Mizoram and Manipur. Johny said almost 100 percent EPIC cards have been distributed to the electorates in tribal areas. He exuded confidence that BJP will form the next government by winning the ensuing state elections with absolute majority. He said BJP government in Manipur will usher in peace and development. ‘It is no more a surprise that BJP will form the government since the party wave has cleared the doubts of the electorates,’ Johnny said. He expressed hope people-to-people and friendly relations will be created with the Nagaland government with the BJP in power in that state after the poll. When asked on the prospect of NPF party, Johny remarked that NPF, the longest surviving regional party in Nagaland, would do better if it remain a good and people friendly party in Nagaland as in the past. Johny wondered what necessitated NPF to expand wings to Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh as he expressed apprehension that such move could antagonise and create division among the tribal people. Referring to speeches of some candidates as shared to him, he was sceptical if NPF led Nagaland government can solve the Naga problem in Manipur. Stating that tribal community in Manipur are ‘smart enough,’ he expressed confidence that BJP will be able to win almost the whole ST reserved seats including Kangpokpi constituency. On the alleged involvement of NSCN (IM), Johny felt that NSCN-IM should understand its engagement with the BJP-led Government of India to resolve the Naga political issue. If allegations were true, Johny appealed NSCN (IM) to refrain from involving with certain political parties in the elections in Manipur particularly the tribal dominated areas.