NPF is natural ally of BJP: Nagaland CM

Shürhozelie holds consultative meeting with NPF Arunachal  

KOHIMA, JUNE 28 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister and NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu today said that the Naga People’s Front (NPF) is “the natural ally of the BJP” and that it is the only political party which represents the Nagas and can preserve their identity.  

He said this during a consultative meeting with the NPF Arunachal Pradesh State Unit party workers here at NPF central office conference hall on Wednesday.  

The CM said that the NPF should be introduced not only to all the Naga inhabited areas but to all tribal areas in the region, stating that this will be the first step towards integrating the tribal peoples of the region.  

Addressing more than two hundred party workers from Arunachal Pradesh, the Nagaland CM said that the demand for integration of the whole Naga-inhabited areas may be difficult at present but that coming together under the umbrella of the NPF could be the first step to integrate the people emotionally and politically.  

Citing an example, Dr. Shürhozelie said that after introducing the NPF party to Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, the Naga people living in the two states can now feel a sense of belongingness as one Naga family.  

Advising the party leaders to work hard, the Chief Minister said that the NPF must participate in the next Arunachal Pradesh government so as to address the developmental issues faced by the Naga people in the State.  

He urged the Arunachal Pradesh party leaders to take the torch of leadership and spread the good news of the NPF party to their state, that “only through NPF the voice of the Naga people can be heard in the government.”  

He also encouraged that the Naga people of Arunachal must send their representative in the next formation of the Arunachal government. He reminded the gathering today that in the event of the NPF party succeeding to gain entry in three Assemblies, the party would be recognised as a national party.  

Meanwhile, DAN Chairman and former Chief Minister, TR Zeliang said NPF is the only platform which can speak and address the needs and aspirations of the Naga people. He said that other Naga regional parties such as the recently-launched Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been formed to “confuse the Naga people, but it is only the NPF that recognized the whole of Naga-inhabited areas and work for the people.”  

Zeliang also stressed the need to learn the Nagamese language by fellow Nagas living outside Nagaland stating that it will be the first step towards integrating our people. He expressed happiness that today’s meeting could be conducted through the medium of Nagamese and said language is a great factor which unifies people. He further urged party leaders not to be afraid to reveal their identity as Nagas but to work tirelessly for the uplift of the party.  

Education Minister, Yitachu in his speech said that the NPF was formed to uplift the regional aspirations of the Naga people cutting across the present state boundary. Yitachu also said that the NPF is the heritage party for the Nagas and one of the priorities of the party is to work for the whole Naga inhabited areas.  

Rural Development Minister, CL John meanwhile called upon the Arunachal Pradesh party leaders to have a sense of ownership in the party and elect its representative in the next formation of the government in Arunachal Pradesh. Advisor DUDA and Ministerial in-charge of Arunachal Pradesh, N Thongwang, who also spoke on the occasion, said that though the Naga people live in separate states, NPF is the only platform that can keep alive the identity of the Nagas.  

During the occasion, various leaders from the Arunachal Pradesh NPF state unit stated that they joined the party to work for the betterment and uplift of the Naga people living in Arunachal Pradesh. While assuring to work for the success of the party in their state, the leaders also asked the party functionaries from Nagaland to help and support in the coming days.  

The programme was chaired by Apong Pongener, Advisor to Chief Minister and NPF working president and invocation prayer was pronounced by Tsumongo Ovung, NPF vice president.