DIMAPUR, JANUARY 24 (MExN): Naga Council President Savi Liegise today publicly announced his plans to contest the coming Assembly Election from Dimapur-II AC although he could not confirm whether he will get the official NPF ticket. Savi nevertheless made his intentions clear by saying that whether he gets a ticket or not, he will contest the coming elections, if necessary as an independent candidate. Savi who was earlier reported to have been short listed by the NPF for the Dimapur-II seat disclosed that another NPF contender had entered the fray and that the NPF was considering someone else for the said constituency. The matter will reportedly be decided only after the party sits on January 29.
Regardless of this new development, Savi called for a press conference at his residence in Nagarjan, Dimapur, and publicly declared his candidature for Dimapur-II with or without the NPF ticket. Savi said that he had applied for the NPF ticket in October 2007, however since the constituency had a sitting NPF MLA, he could not ‘force’ his way then. With the former Parliamentary Secretary Hewoto switching over to the Congress camp, Savi said that he is the lone applicant for the ticket in the constituency and was more or less confirmed of the party ticket by former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio last year.
Savi said that during the last four months of “intensive campaign”, he had sensed the cry of the people for justice, development and he was touched by the abject need for leadership, “which I take it as my duty to dispense”. Quoting Aristotle, that it is more important to be governed by good people than good laws, Savi said that he wanted to provide that good leadership. “My best God-given ability, I want to share with the people”, he emphasized. Sharing his agendas by which he plans to contest; Savi said that the issue of roads and judicious use of the funds meant for development were the changes he seeks to bring along with employment avenues for the young people. “A bright city, a clean city and a safe place for all community” are to be his priority if he is to be elected by the people.
The Naga Council President pointed out that Dimapur needs, above all, good governance, and good leadership and more so today in order to deal with the post modern complexities facing the growing commercial hub. Talking of the eminent changes of “unknown proportion” likely to take place with the Look East Policy, Savi said that Dimapur would be an important place for the state as well as North East. In this regard, he says that unless “we prepare our mindset”, the changing global scenario would sweep the people away.
Coming back to the issue of his ticket, Savi said that he had chosen the NPF because in the last four years he had witnessed that the NPF had good policies and programs and he wanted to be a party of such a government. Savi reiterated that he would contest the elections if need be as an independent candidate. “Ticket is not the issue, when I have the concern in my heart”, Savi said. On being asked if he will support the Congress if he were to be elected as an independent candidate, Savi said the decision will be made by the people who elected him.
Meanwhile, Savi defines his poll prospects in just two words, “very bright”. Saying that a car can be replaced if you cannot use it, Savi cautions voters that if the wrong person was elected, people would have to wait another five years to replace him. If he is to be elected, Savi added that he will express the needs, pains and cry of the people and use his influence to provide the people with whatever entitlement is available in the government machinery.
