Will work together for uplift of NA-II A/C and Nagas: Rio

Principal Correspondent KOHIMA, OCTOBER 5 Lone Lok Sabha member from Nagaland Neiphiu Rio today called upon the people of the 11-Northern Angami-II Assembly constituency, which going for bye-election on October 15, not to be confused about the contest between alliance partners NPF and BJP. Rio, who had held different portfolios after being elected from the constituency for six times, including three-time Chief Minister of the State, termed the constituency as prestigious as it has become a constituency of the Chief Minister and now MP standing on regional principles. He, therefore, clarified that electorate should not be confused and think that they can elect either of the two candidates considering that NPF and BJP are alliance partners. He said the policies and programme of NPF and BJP are different. Rio asserted that NPF official candidate Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu being young would surely work for uplift of the constituency in particular and the Naga people in general. Though alliance partners, in an election it cannot be a friendly contest, the MP explained, and said, therefore, the party workers and electorate should work towards success of NPF with a big margin. Rio said this addressing a jam-packed gathering of electorate of Meriema village Sunday night. He also asserted that once elected, he along with Dr. Neiphrezo would surely work for the welfare of the people of the constituency and also the State. Terming Dr. Neiphrezo as the right leader for the constituency, Rio appealed to the electorate to cast their votes in the similar manner as they had been doing in the past for him. Addressing the gathering, NPF official candidate Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu highlighted the NPF policies and programmes and said they are for the welfare and uplift of the grassroots people. Affirming that he is no just one-time or election-time politician, Dr. Neiphrezo said, “I do have concern to work for the welfare of people of the constituency and if elected would will give the best towards the development of the constituency.” He urged the electorate of the constituency to exercise their franchise in his favour on October 15. Minister for Social Welfare Kiyanielie Peseyie said presently NPF has 37 MLAs and is “comfortable” even without any alliance partners in running the affairs of the government in the State. He, therefore, said if the constituency elects the BJP candidate, then he would not have much say in the government. But if the NPF candidate, Dr. Neiphrezo, is elected the prospect of the constituency would be better, he added and appealed the people to elect Dr. Neiphrezo to make the NPF-led DAN government in the State stronger. Congress candidate for 2013 general election Kevise Sogotsu, who has defected to NPF in this bye-election, reiterated that Congress does not have any chance to be in the helm of affairs of the State as the Naga people favour the policies and programmes of NPF. He appealed the electorate, who had supported him in the 2013 elections, to extend their fullest cooperation and support to Dr. Neiphrezo. NPF NA-II A/C general secretary Vibeiletuo also spoke on the occasion and pooh-poohed the claims of BJP that its candidate was on the winning side. Appealing to vote for NPF, he asserted that since Rio is also from the constituency, both of them would take the constituency towards the progress of its people. “Those things which cannot be done by Dr. Neiphrezo would be taken up by MP Neiphiu Rio and vice versa,” he said. He called upon the electorate to wisely elect their representative.