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PDA leaders posing for a photograph during a political campaign at the DDSC stadium in Dimapur on Tuesday. (EM Images)[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, March 19: Sitting Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Nagaland, and the consensus candidate of People’s Democratic Alliance for the Lok Sabha polls on April 11, Tokheho Yepthomi has said that solution to the Indo-Naga political issue remains his and the alliance’s top priority.
Speaking during the launch of PDA’s Lok Sabha campaign at the DDSC stadium in Dimapur on Tuesday, he said that despite talks during the UPA’s tenure at the Centre ‘no paper’ concerning the Indo-Naga talks was presented before the Parliament.
However, the during the NDA’s tenure, the parliamentary committee had submitted its report last year informing that the negotiations were in an “advanced stage”; and called for a settlement at the earliest, he said.
Yepthomi also said that having only one Lok Sabha seat could be an advantage as well as a disadvantage for Nagaland. “I will commit myself to work to my capabilities for the welfare of the state,” he asserted.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio encouraged all the PDA partners and their party members to work towards achieving the goals set in the previous year. “What we have promised in one year, we have started with all the works and we are committed to completing them,” he said.
Apart from National Highways, four-lane project and other important roads, he said, district headquarters roads have also been given equal concern.
The chief minister also congratulated the various departments that excelled in the last year. Rio affirmed that the NDA government will rule the country again because of the popularity Prime Minister Modi has gained during the recent Pulwama attack.
“During the recent terrorist attack at Pulwama, Modi issued the airstrike at Balakot and also making sure the release of the kidnapped Indian pilot the very next day; because of this, he has also gained world popularity,” said Rio.
“The uniqueness of Naga history and culture has been upheld by previous prime ministers like Vajpayee,” said Rio concerning the Citizenship Amendment Bill. He asserted that the PDA’s view was that Nagaland is protected by the provisions of Article 371 (A).
Rio also said that the Naga People’s Front was in a confused state. He took the example of the recent confusion within the party where one group of NPF legislators wanted to merge with the Congress while another group resisted.
Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton said the relationship between the NDPP and BJP was bound by “glue which will never break.” He assured the gathering that the Citizenship Bill will not affect Nagaland or the Northeast.
The president of NDPP, and the chairman of PDA, Chingwang Konyak said that though all the ‘promises and assurances’ could not be fulfilled within a year, the goals of “stability, progressiveness and prosperity” will be accomplished.
Minister for Agriculture and Cooperation, G Kaito said that the party was guided by the principle of working for the welfare of the people.