[caption id="attachment_165132" align="alignnone" width="550"]
Neiphiu Rio, Kudecho Khamo and others at Chozuba local ground on Feb. 16.[/caption]
Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Feb. 16 (EMN): The chief ministerial candidate of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Neiphiu Rio has expressed great confidence that the NDPP-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance would be forming the next government in Nagaland. He is convinced that the alliance will come about with absolute majority and restore good governance and infrastructure; ensure opportunities for women and youth, and entrepreneurs etc., with 'renewed approach and policies.'
Speaking at the election campaign of Dr. Neikiesalie Kire, the NDPP's candidate from 9th Kohima Town assembly constituency (AC) at the PWD junction in Kohima on Fri. evening, Rio came out strongly against Chief Minister TR Zeliang and his government. He said that the BJP, which had been in alliance with the regional NPF for the past 15 years had lost confidence in the latter due to ‘lies, betrayal, corruption, lack of development and creating division among the public.’
The former chief minister referred to reservations revolving around the NDPP-BJP alliance. Rio conveyed the views of the BJP leaders at the centre who he said always had respect for the Naga people and their faith. According to him, ‘The regional party (NDPP) will be the big brother while BJP will be the minor partner’ for which they decided on a pre-poll alliance with 40:20 seat-share.
Referring to Kiren Rijiju’s speech made at Mon district, Rio said that the BJP was not a 'religious' party but a political party for the welfare of the public and development, and to provide more facilities and uplift the economy of the people.
Requesting the people not to be confused or be 'carried away by communal propaganda' doing the rounds, he informed that the government was checking 'those propaganda.' He appreciated also the concern of church organisations in the state for seeking to protect the Naga identity and faith. He assured that the party was ready to protect and defend the Naga people and their faith not through ‘compromise but standing as a defence.’
“BJP alliance in Nagaland has been there for the last 15 years since Vajpayee’s time. As long as I was there, the Church was not afraid. But maybe some leader compromised religious platform and perhaps that may have led to the current apprehension,” a press statement from the NDPP quoted Rio as saying.
Rio reaffirmed that Nagas are, and will remain Christians and at the same time work consciously for the people as per the BJP led NDA Government’s development programmes. “It depends upon the individuals. Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees India to be a secular state while Article 28 guarantees freedom of religion for all and that we have nothing to fear,” Rio said.
Further, Rio was of the view that the election may be an ‘election for solution.’ He assured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development agenda will be implemented in the state.
Referring to the NDPP-BJP alliance, Neikiesalie Kire confidently said, ‘I can foresee that we will have a peaceful and developing government with more opportunities and facilities for the youth.’ He appealed to the people to 'vote wisely' for the ‘right man in the right place.’
Mentioning their disassociation with the NPF, Kire said, ‘We didn’t leave NPF but NPF has left us.’ He termed Zeliang’s government ‘most unstable’ and that instability and crises began as soon Rio left for Delhi (on being elected member of the Lok Sabha). Also, he termed the NDPP-BJP alliance 'god’s plan' in which leaders at the centre would place their trust and choosing Rio as the chief ministerial candidate to lead the state.
Kire confidently maintained that things would change under Rio and that the people would see a day when 'solution will come.'
Earlier in the day, Rio addressed a public rally at Chozuba local ground in Phek district to campaign for NDPP candidate Kudecho Khamo. He called upon the party workers to work vigorously to ensure success of all the alliance's candidates. He said that the victory of the alliance candidates would go a long way in strengthening his leadership and the party in the formation of the next government.
Rio appealed to the gathering to elect NDPP candidate Kudecho Khamo as the NDPP-BJP alliance will be forming the government. He clarified that the alliance with the BJP was 'not to convert but to protect the identity and culture of the Nagas.'
At the current government, he said that Chief Minister TR Zeliang 'lacked vision' or 'leadership quality' that brought 'immense embarrassment to the Naga people.' He pointed out that Zeliang’s fake educational qualification was found even in a church souvenir. This prompted him to say that Zeliang can fool even God.
“Now unable to provide his BA certificate and also embarrassed to say he failed, he stated in his affidavit ‘BA appeared’ but there is no such certificate for ‘BA appeared,’” Rio said. Despite all these, he said, Zeliang remain unrelenting and refuses to accept his mistakes. He alleged further that the chief minister was using money to influence the elections.
While the National Democratic Alliance government had elected him to be the chief ministerial candidate, Neiphiu Rio said seat-sharing with the BJP was necessary 'to maintain a good rapport with the central government.' That way, he said, 'We can expedite the peace process and carry forward the development agenda of the central government for the benefit of our people and by empowering our youths and people.'
Further, Rio mentioned that the party would make concerted efforts to successfully implement the central government's developmental programmes and schemes for the people. Special emphasis will be given to improving the living standards of the people including youth and women empowerment in the state, he said in assurance.
The NDPP's president, Chingwang Konyak said that the party NDPP will focus on transparency, and fight corruption and 'restore governance.' Nagaland needs change and transformation for which NDPP came into existence, he said. He added that the party has the capacity to change 'but only the vote from the people in their (party's) favour will enable them to form the government.'
In his address, Kudecho Khamo highlighted the importance of schemes and funds for the development of the constituency. He assured to focus on youths and farmers if elected to the assembly. He has assured economic development and better roads connectivity, health centres, and educational institutions.
