Shürho continues attack on BJP-NDPP
Stating that election would come and go every five years, NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu urged the electorate not to compromise with their Christian faith, culture and identity by blindly supporting a wrong party. He made this remark while addressing an election rally at Pfütsero town in Phek district held, some 70 km away from the State Capital on Friday.
Liezietsu appealed to the people to stand firmly behind NPF for building a fair name for Nagaland as the party represented “our identity, personality and aspirations”.
Likening NDPP with an unrecognised village, he warned that its alliance with BJP would threaten “our faith, culture and identity”.
He reminded the gathering that NPF candidates were mostly new faces and belonged to younger generation after the party denied ticket to some old wrong candidates.
The NPF president said his party would not make tall promises that were impossible to implement, adding that its priority was to usher in development, maintain peace and settle the Naga political issue.
Highlighting the aims and objectives of NPF, which was formed by “our parents” when there was large-scale violence in Nagaland in 1963, Liezietsu asserted that the party continued to stand by its principles. He also cautioned the people not to choose their leaders with money.
In his address, Home minister and NPF’s candidate from 19 Phek A/C, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu urged the voters not to sell their votes, nor indulge in any type of malpractice or violence during the election, but to elect their leader through peaceful means.
Appealing to workers belonging to different parties to remain faithful to their respective parties, he exuded confidence that NPF would come back to power.
On his part, Thenucho Tunyi, NPF candidate from 16 Pfutsero A/C, asserted that NPF was the only regional party in Nagaland that withstood the changes and still stood firm on the principles and objectives of bringing about peace and development.
Alleging that BJP-NDPP alliance had a hidden agenda of one nation-one religion, Tunyi also promised that, if elected, his first priority would be to make Pfutsero an ADC town.
Speaking on the occasion, NPF candidate from 17 Chizami A/C, Kezhienyi Khalo claimed that he had entered politics after having seen the sufferings and poor living conditions of the people. He regretted that development had not touched Chizami constituency over the past many years.
Assuring to bring progress, Khalo underlined that the power of vote could bring transformation. He also promised of creating job avenues for educated unemployed of the State, if elected.
Also addressing the rally, Social Welfare adviser Dr Chotisuh Sazo, who is also the NPF candidate from 18 Chozuba A/C, pointed out that while other national political parties had high commands in Delhi, NPF was a local party deeply rooted with the people at the grassroots level.
Claiming that NPF had been according highest priority to solving the Naga political issue, Sazo remarked that DAN government had taken several initiatives to facilitate its peaceful resolution.
He pointed out the DAN government has constituted Political Affairs Committee, Joint Legislators’ Forum on Naga political issue and Nagaland Legislators’ Forum in this regard.
Expressing optimistic that NPF would ride back to power, the candidate made a fervent plea to the electorate to exercise their franchise in favour of NPF candidates in order to partake in the government.
Yitachu, NPF candidate from 20 MeluriA/C, however, could not turn up for the rally.
The programme was chaired by NPF Phek division president Chivotso Nienu, while invocation prayer was said by Calvary Baptist church pastor Keduwepe Mero. A folk song was presented on the occasion by Mesulumi village members and benediction prayer said by chaplain Pulo Koza.
BJP hits back at NPF president
DIMAPUR, FEB 23 (NPN): State BJP has attributed NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu’s “never-ending tirade” against the party to a “deep-seated feeling of insecurity” vis-à-vis his own political future post election.
Accusing him of suffering from dementia and “meaninglessly” repeating what he had already said again and again, a press release issued by State BJP’s media cell on Friday explained that in such a state of mind, he conjured up imaginary “alien forces” and conveniently linked them to BJP and other rival political parties.
The party, however, said that if fully empathized with his state of mind and remarked that it was only due to NPF’s alliance with BJP that helped him realize his dream of becoming a chief minister, “though sadly his reign ended abruptly as his coronation”.
Alleging that NPF was suffering from desperation and utter frustration, BJP added that this was evident in the “delusional” judgements passed by its “self-ordained” president against his political rivals. However, by now the electorate had realised that the salvo of missiles directed against other parties by Liezietsu were like random blank-firing without bullets, it pointed out.
Reacting to the veteran leader’s citing of Article 25 of the Constitution of India, which safeguards freedom to profess, practice and propagate one’s religion, BJP alleged that it was NPF president who was trying to bulldoze other faiths by adopting “holier than thou” attitude.
Castigating Liezietsu for criticising the BJP-NDPP alliance and his assertion that, by dropping corrupt leaders, NPF would form the next government with new members, new vision, programmes and policies, BJP likened them to a man announcing through public address system that he was ready to swallow his own words.
The release asked NPF to spare the electorate from their “lectures” on development, new vision and new policies.
According to BJP, the people had more than enough of development during the last four years of its when its developmental activities were confined to internal party crisis, infighting, ego battles, greed for portfolios and one-upmanship.
Instability was the one word for the government of the day and performance was invisible, the release concluded.
Sunday, May 3, 2026