NPF attacks ruling government at election rally in Nagaland

Zeliang says the government of India had entrusted the intelligence bureau (IB) to work out formalities to resolve the issues concerning flag and constitution

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Oct. 26 (EMN): Naga-political issue and developmental roads projects took centre stage at the Naga People’s Front (NPF) bye-election campaign for the 14-Southern Angami-I assembly constituency.

Addressing a rally at Jakhama village on October 26, NPF president, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu stated that the party has remained true to its objectives, and regardless of being in the opposition, continues working for the cause of the Nagas.

"Jakhama is a big village and has been unable to produce an MLA for decades," said the veteran leader and told the gathering to 'resolve' and take the bye-election as an opportunity to produce an MLA from the village.

Liezietsu said that the ‘influence of money’ has come to dominate electioneering in Nagaland and that it is 'nothing less than gambling'.

He asserted that the NPF party was ‘founded on principles and is rooted in the cause of the Nagas’. It has now grown into the second oldest regional party in the country, he said.

According to him, many political parties in Nagaland have “evolved and dissolved since 1964”; and predicted that the NDPP will also meet the same fate one day.

The NPF chief maintained that the BJP might have 12 elected members in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly ‘but not even two of them are united’. He said that there was no need to be fearful of them. 

Leader of opposition, TR Zeliang attacked the present government for the 'slow pace' of developmental projects in the state and the ‘lackadaisical attitude’ towards the Naga political issue.

He claimed that the Kohima by-pass road and other major road developmental projects proposed by the NPF-led DAN government during his chief ministership were sanctioned during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was then approved by then Union Minister of Road and Transport, Nitin Gadkari.

Zeliang then said that the Kohima by-pass four-lane project was changed to two-lane while other roads under construction were behind the stipulated time frame.

He further refuted the chief minister's reported statement that the government of India is agreeing to grant Naga flag and constitution post-settlement. He stated both of them (the chief minister and the leader of opposition) were in the same meeting with the Union Home minister and officials.

Zeliang informed that Assam Health Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma along with IB director and Home secretary were present during the meeting and apprised the two leaders, the ruling and the opposition from the state, to work together to convince the Naga negotiating groups, 'if not will be a problem for an early settlement’.

He stated that the government of India had entrusted the intelligence bureau (IB) to work out formalities to resolve the issues concerning flag and constitution.

The Home minister was stated to have pronounced that “there shall be one solution, one accord”.

It was also informed that the NPF Working Committee would be having a meeting on October 30 to discuss how to carry forward the issue and place suggestions before the PDA government to work out the formula.

Meanwhile NPF candidate, Kikovi Kirha, in his short speech, sought the support of the electorates while assuring to work for the cause of everyone.