Morung Express News
Diphupar | February 20
With barely a week before the state heads to polls, the Diphupar Naga Youth Organisation (DNYO) organised a common platform on Tuesday bringing the four contesting candidates of 4-Ghaspani-I Assembly Constituency together. At the Diphupar Village’s Local Ground, a mélange of young and old gathered to listen to what the candidates contesting to become their local representative had to say. The four candidates are: N. Jacob Zhimomi from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); Akavi N. Zhimomi of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP); Nagavito Sumi, Indian National Congress (INC); Z. Kasheto Yeptho, independent candidate.
A number of speakers preceding the contesting candidates reminded the gathering that their votes would decide the next five years and hence, cautioned them to be careful on how they vote and who they vote for. “If you take money, you have no right to open your mouth,” one of the speakers asserted.
Jacob Zhimomi, who was elected to the 12th NLA in 2013 from Ghaspani–I before resigning in January 2018, spoke of the “high public expectations” and stated that he could not fulfill much expectation since it was a “big constituency”.
With over 65,000 voters, Ghaspani–I is the biggest constituency in the 60-seat NLA, Jacob reminded and further contended that the population in the constituency would be over 2 lakhs. “I tried to do as much as possible but I’m only human,” he reasoned.
On his joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jacob said that he had enlisted in the BJP so that he can work together with the Central Government and help Ghaspani-I constituency and its people. Bringing Indo-Naga solution would be his priority, he added.
Independent candidate Kasheto Yeptho pointed to the non-existent roads, collapsing bridges and other infrastructures and accused the government and the present representatives of not being serious. “There is no development today because the representatives are only interested in themselves,” he maintained.
Referring to himself as a “common man,” Yeptho urged the voters to elect him as their representative while promising that he would work for the uplift of the poor and the people at the grassroots.
INC candidate Nagavito in his address assured utilization of 100% funds received for developmental projects. He added that he would adopt the idea of his late father Huska Sumi to set up a ‘Local Area Developmental Committee’ to monitor the works of the elected representative.
Nagavito also lashed out at the BJP accusing the party of “fooling people” with false hopes. The BJP, he added, was also not sincere with the Nagas and stated the secrecy behind the Framework Agreement is an example of their insincerity.
‘No more Kaziranga’
27-year-old Akavi Zhimomi drew the loudest of cheers and kept the audience in splits with his wit – even managing to make the three rival contending candidates laugh.
Having met with a vehicle accident on Monday evening, Akavi turned up with his left hand in bandages and jested that the accident was caused by the “very good road condition”.
The AAP candidate sought to differentiate himself from the other candidates contending that he is the “only candidate” upholding the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC)’s directive for Clean Elections. “I have no money,” he said, waving a few notes amounting to Rs. 70 and claiming that it was the only money he had. He added that it was his supporters who were shelling all the expenses and taking him around for campaigning.
Referring to his rather diminutive frame, Akavi said, “I’m small, but I will be like an ant.” “I will bite the chief minister,” he added leaving the audience break into peals of laughter.
The 27-year-old also struck a chord with the audience chanting “No more Kaziranga”. “There are so many problems in Nagaland. Why should they discuss issues in Kaziranga?” he asked much to the delight of the crowd who responded with a roaring applause.
But for all of his wit, Akavi also used the platform to engage in meaningful discourse urging the electorate of the constituency to initiate a change. “If Ghaspani-I can start a change, this will create an impact in the entire state,” he maintained.
“I’m not asking for all votes, but if you think I’m the rightful candidate, please remember me in prayers and vote for me,” he urged.
