NPF President Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu, Working President Apong Pongener with Kuzholuzo Nienu and Achumbemo Kikon in Kohima on March 18. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 18
“Out of 60 seats, we could secure only two; but there is no reason to be discouraged because this is the only party (NPF) which has its roots in the Naga society and on the Naga soil, the rest are all migratory political parties in nature,” NPF President, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu said on Saturday.
He stated this during the felicitation-cum-thanksgiving programme organised by Naga People's Front (NPF) in honour of two elected members of NPF to the 14th House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu was elected from 19th Phek Assembly Constituency and Achumbemo Kikon from 40th Bhandari Assembly Constituency. Azo have been appointed as leader of NPF Legislature Party while Kikon as Chief Whip of the party in the 14th NLA.
Addressing the programme at NPF Central Headquarter on March 18, NPF President, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu said, “Besides many difficulties that we have faced before the election, we have seen that the last election was purely a money game, it was like a gambling bout where the highest bidder becomes the winner. It was election in name only in which political ideology and principles have no place; even election manifesto has no meaning for the people.”
With their money power and other government machineries the ruling alliance has put in maximum efforts to crush NPF, he alleged. Stating that against all those onslaughts, he said that two “MLAs survived” and described them as “Big Winners.”
‘Hold NPF fort with pride’
Dr Liezietsu encouraged Azo and Kikon to hold NPF fort with pride “because from this stem having its root in the unique history of our people, new sooth will sprout when spring comes which may not be far behind.”
He said the NPF have issued tickets to only 22 candidates “whom we believe having better chances of winning if party could support them financially to some certain extent. We have taken this decision without having least idea that the parties that be in power were having such huge preparations to finish the only regional political party in Nagaland.”
‘We failed to understand why they harboured such grudge against this small party which represents the identity of the Nagas. As a result, we have seen the flow of money which we have never seen before,’ he said.
“My humble assessment is that NPF expenditure on the whole elections processes may be less that the expenditure of a single A/C candidate of the national political party leaders,” Dr Liezietsu said.
“Elections come and go every five years, members of the Legislative Assembly also keep on changing; but the party goes on with no change, therefore, all of us should remain alert and see that we keep our flock together,” Dr Liezietsu said.
We are with you: NPF Manipur
Awangbow Newmai, NPF Manipur state unit President and Minister, Manipur in his address said, “We stand behind our two leaders, (Azo and Kikon), who will be standing and speaking on our behalf and taking part in the crucial decision making in any issue both within and outside the assembly.”
“We are with you,” he asserted.
He said that in North East, and even the central leaders look at NPF as the real representative of the Naga people. “We are proud of 2 leaders who will be representing our Naga people,” he said adding that NPF is a political party which truly presents the sentiment of the grassroots people.
‘Let us not be disheartened’
On NPF winning two seats in 2023 state general elections, Azo said “Let us not be surprised or let us not be disheartened because of the results.” Just winning 2 seats is not an end of this oldest regional party. In fact, it is a new beginning. It calls for revival of the party in all fronts, he said.
Encouraging the party leaders and party workers not to be disheartened, he said “I feel it is time for us to create a best situation out of the worst result.” We have to take it seriously of how best to revive this party under the presidentship of Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu, he added.
‘NPF is a strong party’
Maintaining that NPF is a strong party, Kikon said “it is our duty that we must strengthen our grassroot level workers, all rank and file and ensure that we take Naga people forward.”
Kikon said that NPF was reduced to single digit for the first time, adding that in all elections from 1964 to 2023, the party had never registered nil results.
Our party is still a very strong, adding that two NPF legislators from Manipur are placed in Manipur government as cabinet ministers and one MP from Manipur. “How can we say that our party is weak?” he said. Kikon assured that he and Azo will try its level best to ventilate and voice out “the rights of our people, grievances of our people” in the state assembly and at the same time to strengthen the party.
Earlier, the programme was chaired NPF Working President, Apong Pongener while NPF Working President, Pusazo Luruo delivered welcome address.
