Dimapur, February 4 (MExN): Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Wangyuh Konyak is ready for “11th March, 11am” the day and time he is absolutely convinced the NPF party will gallop back to power. At an interaction with media persons at his half-Nagarjan residence, the MP highlighted a number of points pertinent to the launch of the NPF’s election campaign for the March polls.
Pooh-poohing the claims of the Opposition Congress to form the next government in Nagaland, Wangyuh expressed contrary ideas: ‘The people will come to know later whether or not the Congress will come to power.’ In fact, the MP assured to “meet all of you again” on “11th March, 11am” when the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) will have formed the next government. He said that there is no dispute in regard to this and under the leadership of former chief minister Neiphiu Rio, things couldn’t be brighter.
Referring to the observation of the president of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, that the NPF is a “broken house,” the Lok Sabha MP made his feeling loud and clear that the Congress, in fact, is the “more broken house.” MP Konyak buttressed his contention by pointing out that the Congress is the only party in Nagaland with ‘two-three’ chief-ministerial hopefuls while the NPF/DAN has one undisputed leadership in Neiphiu Rio. The NPF is surviving without any disputed leader, Konyak beamed.
The Lok Sabha MP also reminded that political parties or workers are not the judge of whether or not there is any development. “We have done maximum (development)” the MP contented. He also took a potshot at the yesteryears’ Congress regimes with one instance where former chief minister Dr. SC Jamir funded an amount of Rs. 5 Lakhs for a museum in on. ‘During the Congress rule, the people were confused because they did not receive enough funds, but today with the NPF-led DAN, they are confused because they have enough funds (what to do with it),’ Konyak asserted.
On the Naga political issue, MP Konyak stated that it is not for any single party in Nagaland, but all parties should concern with it. He stated that it could be the NPF, BJP, the Congress or any other political party but the Naga issue should be a common theme to concern with because the issue ‘is a peoples’ issue.’ The Naga political party belongs to all political parties, he reiterated. The Naga political issue and the issue of Naga integration would be one the NF’s election manifesto, he also disclosed. “They will be continued to be pursued” he reaffirmed.
Konyak also expressed confidence that the Naga undergrounds will not “involve” in the forthcoming state Assembly elections. For instance, on January 29, Konyak civil society led by the Konyak Union held a meeting in Chenwetnyu village in Mon with the NSCN-K. In the meeting, “army chief” of the NSCN-K “gen.” Kholi had assured that his organization will not interfere in the state politics because “our politics is above state politics.” Let the people decide, Konyak quoted “gen.” Kholi as stating at the meeting.
On related matters, the MP also stated that due to “adjustments” there would be friendly contests with the DAN allies like the BJP. Konyak also informed that the NPF will launch its election campaign from February 11. There is a great “demand for Rio” and he would be touring the state as part of the campaign, it was informed.
Also, over the issue of denying the party’s ticket to women candidates, Konyak and his associates at the interaction made clear that “we are not against women.” The instance of the NPF denying a ticket to Sano Vamuzo, chairman of state women commission, for former Home Minister Thenucho, also came up at the interaction. He said that her petition came “too late.” Conversely, even if a candidate were a woman, if she is “winnable,” the party would gladly allot a ticket, he added.
