Dimapur, March 5 (MExN): The NPF’s Rally at DDSC today sent out only one confident message – crucial as Dimapur-1 Assembly Constituency is for the NPF to win, the March 8 bye-election is only the “semi-final” for the coming general elections 2008. After which, the NPF will stand ‘once again’ for another stint in power.
The party’s rally today showcased the strength of the NPF’s electorate, or at least those in Dimapur, even as party leaders one after another highlighted confidence that its candidate, Atomi Zhimomi, will win the all-important Dimapur seat. According to its leaders including Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, this win will be the launch pad to fulfill the party’s slogan, ‘Beyond 2008’, the theme under which the rally was held.
Spelling out his confidence in loud Nagamese, Chief Minister Rio implied that the bye-elections would launch the NPF into another success in the coming state elections in 2008. ‘We will have another term with your support’ he said even as he appealed that ‘Nagas should show what the NPF government is all about by voting for the regional party.’ Making a call out to the electorate Rio asked to take Nagaland further and ‘we will look beyond 2008 and together we will bring peace and development’.
On the development front, Rio said that in spite of criticism and “propagandas” the policies of the NPF will always be for reaching out to those in need. The slogan ‘Peace for development, development for peace’ he said, will be the beacon. This party is for peace, he asserted while making a brief reference to the party’s commitment to a peaceful and honorable settlement to the Naga political issue.
Also, reflecting on Atomi Zhimomi’s youthfulness yet ‘ripened’ for leadership, the NPF chief also reiterated the NPF-led DAN government’s ‘love’ for the youths. ‘NPF loves the youth; NPF love sports; NPF loves music so take advantage of this and work together to support Atomi’ Rio asserted with his Nagamese even as youths at the rally reciprocated with loud cheers. Maintaining that “Kushi-Paa laka candidate” Atomi is “fully educated youth leader and very enterprising” Rio said Nagas today need capable leaders. ‘So we chose Atomi’ he said. In conclusion, Rio assured that that ‘full security’ will be provided and so Nagas should come out and vote for the NPF. “…and we will look beyond 2008 and together we will bring peace and development” Rio concluded his address in English.
Candidate Atomi, in his address, made no promises but assured to reach out to the people in need of him. He expressed gratitude to the confidence bestowed on him by both the party and the workers and assured he would take forward the NPF’s vision further. ‘Don’t look at the tribe, caste or appearance but look at the one who is able to work for the people’ he advised in Nagamese. ‘I will work for you’ he assured.
The rally was also highlighted by the show of core NPF leaders, ministers, parliamentary secretaries and central level leaders, all expressing high confidence to securing the Dimapur seat.
