NPF open to post-poll alliance: Azo

The Naga People’s Front (NPF), one of the oldest regional parties in the state, will press for a solution of the vexed Naga Political Issue if it comes to power after the Assembly election and is ready for post-poll alliance.
The election to the 60-member Nagaland Assembly is scheduled for February 27.
NPF Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu in an exclusive interview to PTI said that with no pre-poll alliance, the NPF is ready for a post-poll strategy with any political party to form the next government. “We are ready to form or be a part of the government with any political party in the state, because post-election the demand for Naga political solution will be the pressing need,” he said.
“The Government of India is not at all serious in solving the Naga Political Issue. We are not at all satisfied,” he said, claiming that post election the NPF will press harder for solution to the vexed problem.
On the fielding of candidates for the ensuing election, Azo claimed a large number of aspirants are coming forward seeking the party ticket. “It has gone beyond our expectation but as a party we have to look into the financial aspects and during the party CEC meeting, we have decided to set up only winnable candidates. The list will be finalised within a day or two,” he said.
He, however, refrained from disclosing the probable number of candidates to be fielded by the party.
On the prime agenda of the party for the election campaign, he said in case NPF is part of any government, the priority will be enforcing the rule of law and minimising taxation and stopping extortion bids by different Naga groups.
Asked if the party has decided on the chief ministerial candidate, he said it will be decided only after filing of nomination of the party aspirants.
On the ENPO’s demand for separate ‘Frontier Nagaland’– alleging that the state government has been neglecting the area in all aspects, Azo said development of a particular area fully depends on their own legislators. Every leader is responsible for his constituency, he said. Despite the call for boycott by ENPO, he claimed that there are good numbers of aspirants seeking the NPF party ticket.