Party’s electoral tryst gets huge boost as more leaders join
Dimapur, January 22 (Mexn): Contrary to the ‘Solution before Election’ stance of the Naga civil societies, the BJP today advocated “Election For Solution” and justified its standpoint by saying a new government in tune with the Centre would help conclude the Naga peace process.
“The peace process between Government of India and the NSCN (I-M) has progressed to a great extent. We need a government that will be helpful in concluding the Naga agreement, which we want to conclude with all seriousness,” said Ram Madhav, BJP National General Secretary and in-charge of poll bound states Nagaland and Tripura.
Justifying his “Election for solution” slogan, Madhav said, when an agreement is reached between the Government of India and the different Naga groups, it needed to be safely implemented in the state, and this could be done effectively only under the leadership of the present Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
Addressing a felicitation programme of new members joining the BJP here at Hotel Saramati, Madhav said the Narendra Modi Government is committed to bring peace in the state so as to bring about a meaningful agreement with different Naga political groups.
He asserted that Modi believed only peace could bring development and that was the reason the BJP government was committed to a solution to the Naga issue. He said much progress has been made on the Naga issue and that there was no going back now.
The BJP National General Secretary called upon other Naga political groups who had been left out to join the peace process and added that the BJP government is committed to bring a final settlement to the protracted Naga political problem.
The BJP leader also said since the government and political parties have certain constitutional obligations which cannot be avoided, elections have to take place.
“In Nagaland, the BJP is keeping its doors open and appeal to all political leaders to come and join BJP for a stable government,” Madhav said and added BJP is serious in bringing about a stable and development-focused government in the state.
As many as 15 BJP intending candidates, including the former Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader KL Chishi and Independent legislator Jacob Zhimomi, who quit the Assembly on January 20, joined the party at the felicitation programme. Earlier, Nagaland State BJP president, Visasolie Lhoungu, delivered welcome address. Other party members and intending candidates also addressed the programme.
Onus on NPF to continue alliance: Mmhonlumo Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the felicitation programme, BJP Minister, Mmhonlumo Kikon, said the party was growing from strength to strength in Nagaland and fully geared to face the polls.
On the party’s alliance with the Naga People’s Front (NPF), Mmhonlumo said since the NPF had severed ties with the BJP in the first place it is now upto the regional party to take a decision. The regional party is likely to take a decision in its central executive committee meeting scheduled on January 23.
Fifteen intending candidates who formally joined the BJP party on Monday include: KL Chishi, former chief minister (Atoizu A/C); Jacob Zhimomi, Ex-MLA (Ghaspani-I A/C); V Kashiho Sangtam (Seyochung Sitimi A/C); Khehovi (Suruhoto A/C); Kazheto (Akuluto A/C); R Tsapikiu Sangtam (60 Pungro A/C); H Haiying Khiamniungan, ex-Congress candidate (56 Noklak A/C); Dr. Benjung Lam (56 Noklak A/C); Lipokmar Tzudir, former NEZCC Director (Tuli A/C); Kasheto Yepthomi (Ghaspani-I A/C); Hukiye Tissica (34 Aghunato A/C); Atoka Tuccu (Dimapur-I A/C); Tokuho Neho (Ghaspani-II A/C); Imjongwati (29 Janpetkong A/C); and Hewoto Awomi (Dimapur-II A/C).
