Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 5
Three political parties—the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), the Nationalist Congress Party and the Janata Dal (United)—today released their first list of candidates for the upcoming Nagaland assembly polls.
While a list of candidates for the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) did the rounds in social media, NPF officials however declined knowledge of any such official list.
Meanwhile, in their first list of candidates, the NDPP listed 38 candidates, JDU fielded 11 and the NCP listed 6 candidates.
Combination of experience and youth: NPDD on its 38 candidates
The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) said that their candidates incorporated “a combination of experience and youth.”
The list has seasoned politicians, experienced civil society leaders, dynamic young faces, accomplished former technocrats and bureaucrats, legal experts and highly capable personalities, NDPP Secretary General, Abu Metha said while releasing the list.
A press release from the NDPP Media & Communication Committee informed that the Party leader Neiphiu Rio also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhartiya Janata President, Amit Shah for “reposing faith in his leadership and agreeing to have a seat sharing alliance between the NDPP and the BJP.”
The NDPP-BJP alliance would ensure good governance and draw a new roadmap for development under the vision of Modi’s development agenda, Rio assured.
The Party fully supports the peace process and political negotiation and committed that the NDPP would not come in the way for any political solution, he added.
Rio further appealed to all the party leaders to carry out a responsible and mature campaign and not make “personalized attacks and refrain from un-parliamentary conduct.”
NDPP President Chingwang Konyak stated that the NDPP was formed in response to the people’s desire for an alternative. He also warned that the party and all its rank and file should strictly adhere to the “model code of conduct and support the clean election campaign.”
NPF says it will cross ‘magic number’
Naga People’s Front (NPF) Working President, Apong Pongener meanwhile said the NPF will be fielding candidates in all 60 seats for the ensuing general election to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2018.
Talking to media persons, he said that the party will cross magic figure and expressed optimistic to come back to power. Sources told The Morung Express that the party tickets were issued today at the respective divisional headquarters.
Meanwhile, the NPF election manifesto will be released on February 6 at 11:00 AM at NPF Central Office, Kohima.
NCP releases election manifesto
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Nagaland state while releasing their 1st list of candidates also released its election manifesto for the upcoming polls.
NCP Nagaland state president Vanthungo Odyuo told media persons here that the party will field 10 candidates for the polls. Out of 10, six candidates have been finalized in the first phase (see table above). He said that remaining four candidates would be finalized soon in the second phase The NCP Election Manifesto stated that the party recognized the Naga political issue as a national issue and supports the demand for a peaceful and honourable resolution of the issue.
“The NCP will extend all possible support to the effort of the civil society in Nagaland in the quest for peace and development and to ensure a lasting solution to the long drawn political issue,” it stated.
As per the manifesto, the NCP affirmed to work towards promoting “all that is beautiful about our culture and traditions and encourage the strengthening of cultural institutions with proper fund allocation and media promotions.”
It added that the party intents to “spread the message of peace through the colouful cultural presentation and exchange that we will encourage.” It also plans to create a programme for culture ambassadors to resolve border issues and build bridges with different sections of the Indian societies.
The manifesto said that the attempt of the NCP has been to ensure a self-sufficient economic through agro-based developmental activities. Among the many multi-pronged approach includes; financial management through the thorough use of SHG’s and introduction effective micro-credit programme, making transportation easier for rural marketing, introduction of modern farming technologies by investment including infrastructure for farmers, training and research and involvement of National Agriculture financing, research and development institution, it said.
The manifesto added that the NCP is committed to fulfill full development of human resource through creation of educational infrastructural, identification and creation of job-oriented educational system, legislation of policies for human resource management, bringing call centres to Nagaland and maximum use of our potential in the service sectors by creating market and facilitating the growth of service sectors in Nagaland.
It further said that the party will ensure speedy industrialization of Nagaland through the tapping of resources and the facilitation of the same by creating a conducive environment for big industries to come in with the necessary investment. It also expressed determination to strengthen the government machineries and administration in order to ensure good governance and administration in tune with developmental vision.
