NDPP’s H Chuba Chang will be the PDA’s consensus candidate for the upcoming by-election to the 51 Noksen Assembly constituency (AC).
The ticket was formally handed over to H. Chuba at a felicitation-cum-ticket ceremony held at NDPP headquarters, Chümoukedima here on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Neiphiu Rio was optimistic that the former minister and civil servant would win the 51 Noksen AC by-poll by a thumping majority.
He acknowledged the five individuals had approached NDPP for the ticket and hoped that even though they did not receive the ticket, they would remain loyal to the party.
Mentioning that Congress would not be fielding any candidature to the by-election as announced, Rio said NDPP would request NPF to not field any candidate for the sake of Naga issue by working united for its early solution.
Referring to functioning of the PDA government, Rio asserted that the alliance was functioning smoothly and strongly till now.
“Even in future, we hope to work together for the betterment of the country,” he added. He also mourned the demise of Chongshen Mongkosungkum Chang, minister for environment, forest & climate change, justice & law.
In his address, NDPP president and PDA chairman Chingwang Konyak maintained that the ruling party selected H. Chuba Chang after assessing all aspects and appealed to all members of PDA to cohesively work for success of the candidate.
BJP Nagaland president and PDA co-chairman Temjen Imna Along congratulated Chuba for having been selected as the PDA’s consensus candidate, clarifying that his was not sad, but happy. He hoped the PDA candidate would win comprehensively and represent his people and make the ruling alliance stronger. He assured Chuba that BJP workers in 51 Noksen AC had no other agenda, other than to ensure his victory.
On his part, deputy chief minister Yanthungo Patton appealed to all BJP workers to work hand-in-hand and warned not to go against the decision taken by the ruling coalition.
He declared that BJP would take strict action against party workers going against the decision, even to the extent of expelling them from the party.
After receiving the ticket, Chuba acknowledged both NDPP and BJP for trusting him and assured to work to the best of his ability in accordance with the motto of NDPP, “Facta non Verba”.
The programme was chaired by NDPP secretary general and PDA member secretary Abu Metha, while invocation was offered by LBCC pastor Thungchio Ngullie.
Oath taking was initiated by NDPP working president A Nyamnyei Konyak and vote of thanks was delivered by NDPP treasurer Dr John Murry.