Leader of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislature party and co-chairman of UDA government, Kuzholuzo Nienu, on Tuesday categorically asserted that with election or no election, the resolution of the Nagaland political issue would remain as the NPF’s top priority and added that the party stands committed to the solution first and would make way for any new dispensation if required from the party.
Speaking at the 33rd meet of the Phek Area Sports Association (PASA) as special guest, Nienu stated that had the central government been sincere enough in bringing the Naga issue to a logical conclusion before announcement of election, the NPF party including the Nagas would be happy. However, he stated that should the election be announced before any settlement, the party is well prepared with many exuberant candidates to contest the 2023 election, an update from NPF press bureau stated.
He reminded the Nagas that NPF joined the UDA government as alliance partner only on the condition that collectively the whole party gives effort for an early settlement of the Naga political issue and not for any portfolio or power.
Nienu also stated that if the Election Commission of India announced election on contrary to the wishes of the Nagas for solution, the NPF is ready to fight for the battle. While expressing optimism that the Nagas would stand with NPF party, he stated that after formation of the new government, the party would pursue for inking the final solution to the long pending Naga political problem with more vigour.
As NPF was optimistic for a final settlement before the election and has been keeping silent for long, Nienu stated that God has blessed the party with many young dynamic leaders, intellectuals, women leaders and well placed senior leaders vying for the party tickets.
“However, if at all NPF is to fight the election, it will issue the tickets only to the winnable candidature,” Nienu said.
Noting that many Nagas have forgotten their roots, Nienu cautioned that a day might come when the people completely abolish their identity and culture as Nagas for the sake of power and thirst of money. He, however, reiterated that as long as the oldest regional political party NPF exists, it would protect and preserve the true identity of the Naga people.
Nienu, therefore, called upon every Nagas to come out from their comfort zone and give effort for the progress of the NPF party in order to safeguard the identity and the aspiration of the Naga people.