Dimapur, July 12 (EMN): Leader of Naga People’s Front (NPF) Legislature Party, Kuzholuzo Nienu on Tuesday said that election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) will take place with or without solution to the Naga political issue.
Nienu, who is also the co-chairman of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), said this during the consultative meeting of the 17th Chizami assembly constituency office bearers at Pfutsero Tourist Lodge, according to a press communiqué issued by the NPF press bureau.
While maintaining that the state general election is imminent, he said the election could be delayed if Naga solution comes early but it will be held as usual (scheduled) if a settlement is not struck.
He said that the NPF supports all the Naga political groups equally and stands for a settlement that is “honourable, acceptable and inclusive”. He, however, said that “Nagas cannot go on without arriving solution to the vexed Naga political issue”.
He reiterated that the NPF belongs to the Naga people as it was floated because of the Naga political issue. He also claimed that the party ‘represents Naga identity and is deeply rooted to the Naga people, unlike the BJP which may have deep root in India but not in Nagaland, and NDPP, which is only about 5 years old’.
Nienu rubbished rumours about the NPF becoming weaken due to the defection of its former 21 MLAs, saying that the party is intact at the grassroots.
He also maintained that NPF is not a party to merge with any other political parties but other parties can merge with it, stating that it belongs to the Naga people and has “no ownership”.
On defection of 21 MLAs, he said the defected legislators were “not leaders but followers” and that the party leaders and workers are more faithful and stronger after the development.
While claiming that the prospect of the defected MLAs has affected, he said the NPF will either form the next government or be a kingmaker.
NPF legislator representing 17th Chizami constituency, Kezhienyi Khalo, expressed confidence that the Naga people’s ‘grassroots love for the NPF party’ will ensure that it forms the next government.
Though the number of NPF MLAs was reduced to only four, he said was encouraged by the “Naga people movement and love for the NPF party”.
Congratulating the new office bearers of the Chizami A/C, the sitting MLA said he was optimistic that the party will win Chizami assembly seat again in the coming election under their leadership.
NPF secretary general, Achumbemo Kikon, in his address, said NPF has stood for the Naga people in the past and will do so in the future, and that the party will stand strong and work for the Naga people.
While reminding that the party was formed in the 1960s because of the ‘unfinished task of the Naga political issue’, he affirmed it will continue to “stand for it”.
NPF Central General Secretary Akho Leyri, 17th Chizami AC President Veli Medeo and CEC member P Paul also spoke at the event.