Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 8
Parliamentary secretary for irrigation, flood control and geology & mining and border affairs, Y Patton speaking at the ‘Tuluni’ celebrations at Kiyeto village on Thursday, July 8 did not shy away from taking a dig at the opposition Congress.
The witty MLA from 37 Tiyi A/C under Wokha district, known for his straightforward jibes, did not mince any words when he beseeched the gathered crowd at the celebration to never listen to the ‘opposition’, whom he held will never be able to bring anything good.
The MLA was justifying the shift of loyalty of the day’s host, Azheto Zhimomi, who represents 3 Dimapur III A/C for the NPF. Zhimomi it may be recalled had won a seat to the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on a Congress ticket during the 2008 elections.
He later resigned from his membership and then successfully re-contested on behalf of the NPF in the 2009 bye-elections, held concurrently with the national parliamentary elections. Zhimomi was compelled to do that, Patton held, for the good and development of the constituency’s people. “Never give up your support for Azheto Zhimomi, my colleague”, said Patton who spoke mostly in ‘Nagamese’.
Putting forth his point he opined development in a constituency in a five-year term of office is quite a difficult task. Referring to the Rs. 2200 crores fund allocation for the state from the Centre for the current financial year, he said it was all possible because of the NPF led DAN government under the able leadership of the chief minister Neiphiu Rio. Taking another jab at the Congress he said that the opposition, prior to that had forecast a grim future. Reminding that today’s was his second visit to the village after the 2008 bye-elections, he went on to add that still today he remains committed to what he pledged during that time to the villagers and the people of the constituency.
He said in a rather assertive tone that he is ready to help the constituency within the authority vested in him as the parliamentary secretary in-charge of irrigation, flood control and geology & mining and border affairs. However, he cautioned that he will not entertain any ‘backdoor businesses’. It has to come through the right channels, he maintained.
The parliamentary secretary also revealed that six projects from the sate have been already submitted to the Centre under the ‘Flood Management Programme’. He disclosed this while speaking on the sidelines of the festivities. He was asked whether any flood control projects are being taken up in the state. The state is expecting the funds for the projects very soon, he said.
“I have deputed my officers and they’ve given their report…so accordingly we are going to take up”, he said. He however, did not disclose which particular regions of the state the projects will be implemented.
