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Senapati, February 25 (MExN): On the campaign trail for the Naga People’s Front’s (NPF) candidates to the Manipur Assembly Elections scheduled to begin on February 28, the party leaders leaders including NPF President, Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, and MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu and NPF legislature party leader, TR Zeliang addressed gathering in different parts of Manipur on Friday.
Addressing the campaign at Shajouba (48th Moa A/C) for Losii Dikho, Dr Shürhozelie said that ever since NPF (with Cock symbol) was given birth, it is committed only for issue of the Nagas and the Naga political issue as its foremost priority, so any Naga joining other political parties is considered as misadventure.”
He reiterated that NPF is for every Naga as it was formed with the objective of bringing an early solution to the Naga issue, stated an update issued by Press Bureau, NPF.
He expressed regret that the Naga people have forgotten the sacrifices made by four of its MLA during the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly by resigning from the Assembly in protest against the anti-tribal bill passed by the then Ibobi led Congress Government. He said that no other political parties will let their sitting MLA to resign from the Assembly but the NPF took such an extreme steps only for the interest of the Naga people.
Dr Shürhozelie also dismissed the rumours of the involvement of the Naga National Groups favouring certain candidates in the coming election in Manipur.
NPF is a coalition partner in BJP led Government in Manipur but “there is no written alliance commitment with the BJP,” Dr Shürhozelie said and added that ‘NPF has supported Biren Singh led BJP Government and it is committed with its decision and it has not let it down on any occasion.
MLA Azo the team leader of Senapati asserted that NPF will be the king maker in the next formation of Manipur Government and “so going against the NPF candidate is going against our own future.” Azo asserted that “We cannot allow other political parties to come on our behalf to speak for our rights, but NPF is the only political party that can fights and speak for the Naga people.” He asserted that NPF is the only party that can be bold enough to stand and speak for the Naga people in Manipur.
Losii Dikho asserted to commit himself for the stability, peace and development for the people of elected. He regretted that though NPF party is a platform for the Naga people but the Naga people themselves failed to understand the vision of the NPF and go against it.
MP outer Manipur, Dr Lorho S Pfoze said that NPF is the only party for the Naga people and NPF is the only party that solely works for the aspiration of the regionalism spirit of the Naga people.
NPF legislature party leader TR Zeliang urged the people of Tadubi Constituency to bring NPF candidate Sh Francis Ngajokpa to the Manipur Assembly as candidates from national parties “have no knowledge of the ground realities here.”
Zeliang who is in-charge of Manipur state, maintained that there is a lot of difficulty to work for the welfare of people when one represents a national party which is centrally based in New Delhi, as they are bound by the party ‘high command’ at the Centre. “Whereas if you vote for NPF, our MLAs can proudly and without any fear represent the Naga people in the right platform with the right spirit,” he added.
According to a press release from the NPF Information & Publicity Wing, Zeliang who was speaking at a function at Bendramai village maintained that since its formation, NPF had always put the welfare and progress of the Naga people on top and has fought against all odds and challenges threatening the party. He said that the NPF is not only a political party, but also a people’s movement that truly stands for Naga political solution through peaceful dialogues to bring lasting peace to the Northeast region in general. The Party has been playing an instrumental role and at every given opportunity, as an active facilitator, it had vigorously pursued with the Government of India for early settlement of the Naga political problem, he added.
Zeliang said that among the MLAs from Manipur, it was Sh Francis Ngajokpa who pursued the case of Maram-Peren NH-129A and that Ngajokpa had assured to give priority to the Zeliangs in terms of employment opportunities. He also said that the Upper Zeliang areas would not be divided in delimitation 2026. Stating that Tadubi A/C and Tamei A/C are important for the Naga people, he added that the two constituencies of Tadubi and Peren need coordination because “we are divided by Tepuiki and Barak.”
