TR Zeliang urges to vote for candidate whose party’s priority is based on settlement of Naga issue
Tuensang, May 20 (MExN): Leader of Opposition, TR Zeliang today emphasized the need for the general public to vote for a candidate whose party’s priority is based on settlement of the protracted Naga political issue.
“For the Naga People’s Front, our top agenda is to resolve Naga political problem,” he stated.
Addressing a gathering at Tuensang Town Hall, Zeliang lambasted Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for “misleading the people on the Naga issue,” stating “any leader can speak for Naga solution to get votes but the Naga people will judge from action.”
According to a press release from the office of the Leader of Opposition, the former Chief Minister asserted that “NDPP-BJP Alliance has ocean difference from NPF-BJP” and reminded, “NPF led DAN Government managed to convince BJP MLAs in passing resolution in the State Assembly on 15th December, 2017 for election only after solution to Naga political problem was arrived at.”
On this note, he questioned the NDPP why it did not try to convince its seat-sharing partner, BJP, to withdraw the “drastic action” taken against two BJP signatories “who had committed with the voice of Naga people” on January 29, 2018 at Hotel Japfü, Kohima.
Maintaining silence over the action taken on the two leaders was “a clear indication that Rio and his party was supporting election and not solution,” Zeliang added, while calling upon the Nagas to “identify those leaders who are playing with the Nagas with tricky speeches and public dialogue while they have different plans inside to sabotage the Peace dialogue.”
“Naga people should cross check who is talking for the sake of talking and who is talking based on action on the ground,” he asserted.
Also speaking at the campaign rally, NPF candidate for the Lok Sabha bye-election, C Apok Jamir assured that “the protracted Naga political issue will be taken up on priority for a final settlement at the earliest.” Meanwhile, Achumbemo Kikon, NPF Spokesperson stated, “NDPP is not regional in nature but playing the role of proxy BJP in a Christian State just to earn the confidence of BJP Central leadership.”
The campaign team led by the former Chief Minister is scheduled to touch Phek and Kiphire districts on Monday.
