Keeps up clean election resolutions; Next common platform with all candidates of 21 Tuli A/C on February 15
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | February 14
Translating into action its resolution adopted in 2016, the Langpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang Clean Election Campaign Committee (LKMCECC) under the aegis of Langpangkong Students’ Conference (LKM) today held the ‘Common Platform’ for the intending candidates for two of three assembly constituencies under Langpangkong range.
This is the first of its kind programme in Mokokchung district where rival candidates were seated together and made to speak out their vision, their objective of contesting the elections, and their promise to implement their agendas once elected.
Past assembly elections in the different assembly constituencies in Mokokchung district had been replete with incidents of violence; Langpangkong range with 33 villages and towns and three assembly constituencies had also its own share of election related violence.
Against this backdrop, the LKM, during its general conference on January 2016, made a resolution to initiate a clean election campaign to cleanse the election system. Likewise, on September 3, 2016, the LKMCECC called all the village councils, churches, women union (Watsü Telongjem) and students unions falling under their jurisdiction and adopted a resolution for a clean election campaign.
The common platform which was held today at Longkong Baptist Church and Changtongya Town Hall for the candidates of 24 Angetyongpang A/C and 22 Arkakong A/C respectively was held as per Resolution No 11 of the September 3, 2016 resolution.
The five candidates from 24 Angetyongpang A/C, who arrived with only a handful of supporters and allotted ten minutes each, spoke about their intention of contesting the election and also signed a pledge card that they would make ‘their visions’ into a reality once elected.
The five candidates from Angetyongpang A/C – Supongwati Longkumer (Nationalist Congress Party), Sashimar Jamir (Janata Dal-United), S Chuba Longkumer (Naga People’s Front- NPF and sitting MLA), Tongpang Ozukum (Independent), and Alemtemshi Jamir (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party- NDPP) – took their time and briefly outlined their visions for contesting the election.
All the candidates spoke about the lack of development at Angetyongpang A/C and Langpangkong range as a whole. They also cited agriculture, land development, human resource development (especially the youths), education, health care etc as their main focus point for development.
At Changtongya, only two out of the four candidates from 22 Arakong A/C attended the common platform. Retired principal district & session judge Mayang Lima (NDPP) and K Temjen Jamir (Independent) attended and shared their visions and aspirations. The two other candidates – Nuklutoshi Longkumer (NPF and sitting MLA) and Imnatiba (National People’s Party) – could not attend the programme.
Sharing their thoughts and agendas for contesting the election, Mayang emphasized on demanding what rightfully belongs to the people; while K Temjen implied that he is contesting the election to bring a change in the corrupt society.
While briefing host of media persons after the common platform, LKMCECC members regretted the absence of the two candidates from 22 Arkakong A/C. LKMCECC convener, Bendang said had they attended the programme, they could have aired out their agendas to the hundreds of village leaders, church leaders, students’ leaders etc.
LKMCECC member Limaakum Jamir said that the Committee would not be held responsible for the promises made by the two absentee candidates since they could not sign the pledge to honor their words once elected.
“Since they have not signed the pledge, we are not responsible for their promises made during their campaigning…because the LKMCECC through signing of the pledge is also responsible to ensure that it is implemented,” said Limaakum Jamir.
Meanwhile, all the intending candidates who spoke at the two venues appreciated the LKM for organizing the common platform.
Former Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir said, “Clean election will bring clean government.” Meanwhile, K Temjen Jamir said the LKMCECC initiative will surely bring a change in Langpangkong range, the Ao areas and also in the Naga areas.
All the candidates were also made to kneel down and the pastors from the different churches in the two constituencies invoked God’s blessings upon them.
The third LKMCECC common platform will be held at Kangtsung village for 21 Tuli A/C candidates on February 15, where all the seven intending candidates, as disclosed by LKMCECC members, have confirmed their participation.
