Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu addressing the General Convention of NPF cum 63rd Foundation Day at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on October 21. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 21
Senior leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu on Tuesday said the coming together of Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Naga People's Front (NPF) was a part of God’s purpose to serve the people with “love and compassion” and to do away with tribalism and nepotism.
Azo, an MLA and former leader of the NPF Legislature Party, made the remarks while delivering the welcome address at the General Convention of NPF cum its 63rd Foundation Day at Indira Gandhi Stadium on October 21.
“The purpose is to serve his people with love, compassion, honesty and bring about accountability and transparency and also to do away with all the ‘ISMs’ (Tribalism, Favouritism, Nepotism, etc) that is associated with it,” he said.
Declaring the merger of the two parties as “complete”, Azo said the mandate was clear. “Let us work with renewed dedication for the cause of our people and by putting God first,” he said.
He described the moment as a “profound homecoming”. “This moment is already historic, but today it is amplified as we are not just witnessing a political alignment, we are celebrating a profound homecoming on this very day as we commemorate our founding day,” Azo said.
He added that the day marks “not just a turning point, but a day of destiny and legacy.”
Azo also welcomed one and all to NPF, describing the party as the “oldest regional party in the entire North East” and a “relentless guardian of the Naga soul.”
He said the NPF was formed on October 21, 1963, and has been “committed to protecting our unique identity, our culture, our traditions and our customary laws.”
He stated that the party has always been the “steadfast platform” championing the cause of the Indo-Naga political issue. “Today, on our 63rd Foundation Day, we must unite ourselves to fulfill their ultimate aspiration, a dream of lasting stability, justice and a final, honourable resolution for the Naga people for a permanent settlement,” Azo said.
He extended a welcome to CM Dr Neiphiu Rio “back to the fold,” noting him as a founding member of the NPF in 2002. “His return, along with the entire family of the erstwhile NDPP, brings unparalleled joy, experience and stability to our collective endeavour,” Azo added.
Further, Azo expressed gratitude to NDPP leadership for their “political maturity” and termed the merger of the two parties a “powerful new chapter” that would strengthen the Naga political voice.
He thanked NDPP former president Chingwang Konyak and all party workers for “prioritizing the merger in the larger interest of the Nagas.”
“This decision to merge demonstrates a commitment to the greater cause of unity, strengthening our regional front as one voice and one family,” he said.
Azo urged party members to “transcend personal ambitions and differences” and to avoid recollecting the “bitter past” to secure a “perfect future.”
On the merger, he said, “Today, we open a powerful new chapter in Nagaland’s political history, a chapter defined by reconciliation, collective strength and shared destiny. This merger is the defining event of our 63-years journey.”
“This unification, cemented today on our Foundation Day, is the answer to the long held desire for a single, powerful regional entity,” he said adding that “this consolidated front will be better equipped to command respect and recognition from the Government of India, which is essential for accelerating the resolution of the Naga political issue.”
Concluding his address, Azo called for unwavering support for the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. “Now that a more experienced, more matured and a more dynamic leader has taken over... let us stand together and support his leadership, as one united family to ensure a stronger, more prosperous future for our state,” he said.
