Kohima, FEB 1 (NEPS): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said he is proud to be an NPF Chief Minister of the DAN coalition. He said it took long years for him to reach this stage. He said he joined the regional NPF party as a youth activist back in 1947, even while Dr Shurhozelie was already a minister at that time. Delivering the keynote address at the central office bearers’ meeting of the NPF here at Hotel Japhu on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said there is no short cut to leadership and further explained that one has to sacrifice and contribute a lot to reach a goal. He urged NPF workers to have a vision and to uphold the Naga identity. “You cannot adopt someone and feel proud of it”, he stated adding Nagas should be proud of their history and tradition. The Chief Minister also explained as to how the party should have a firm foundation that would remain as a ‘rock’. He mooted a cadre-based type of political movement in the State emulating CPI (M) of the West Bengal. He pointed out unless such an idea is had to have a cadre-based movement, ‘sometimes disintegration’ would be faced when out of power. On this, he urged party workers go for a massive enrolment drive in the State.
The Chief Minister also described new the Nagaland Governor-designate (Sankaranarayanan) as a “thorough gentlemen”. He was confident that the new Governor, with his political background, would be able to adjust and have a balance in discharging his duties as Governor of Nagaland.
Rio also said he could discharge his Chief Ministerial duties because of a senior party leader like Dr Shurhozelie and the support given by party workers. He further sought their continuous cooperation to accomplish common goals.
