Kohima, January 22 (MExN): Intending candidate from the 8-Western Angami Assembly Constituency, Er. Kevisekho Kruse officially kicked off his campaign on January 22 in the presence of NDPP workers at his private residence in Lerie colony here. Kruse, retired Chief Engineer of PHE department said he will contest with Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) ticket in the forthcoming assembly elections scheduled for February 27.
At present, the 8-Western Angami A/C has no representative to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) following the demise of former minister and speaker, Kiyanilie Peseyie last year.
Addressing a host of supporters, Kruse said he joined the NDPP so as to work under the leadership of NDPP chief ministerial candidate, Neiphiu Rio, who recently resigned from the Naga People’s Front (NPF).
The campaign kick-off programme also coincided with a meeting of the party office bearers of the constituency and the units. Kruse, who is a fresh candidate, expressed hope that the NDPP will emerge as the only major regional party in the 13th NLA. During the meeting, the party workers also resolved to rally around the leadership of Neiphiu Rio so as to provide a stable government in the state, restore confidence in governance, and bring about all round development.
The meeting deliberated at length the overall socio-economic and political scenario in Nagaland during the last four years under the regime of the NPF leadership. It claimed that the situation has gone from bad to worse with the absence of Neiphiu Rio from the State politics.
The party workers also noted that no development worth its name has taken place during the last four years which were plagued by “instability in governance, defections and quarrels among the NPF leaders.”
Meanwhile, former candidate of the constituency, Vikehielie Victor, who has been assigned by the NPF to be the campaign director of the NPF 8th Western Angami A/C in the ensuing election, has resigned from the NPF to join NDPP in support of Er. Kruse’s candidature.
Victor, who was present at the meeting today, expressed his hope in the leadership of Kruse, and therefore called upon all concerned to join hands in giving him (Kruse) a chance to lead the constituency and the Naga people at large.
Others who spoke at the meeting included Mhiesizokho Zinyü, Neivikuolie Nicholas Khatsü, chief agent, Vitsalhou Kesiezie, party president of the constituency, Seyiekhrielie Nagi and Akhrieü Mor, among others.
