Dr. Shürho mocks at NDPP’s slogan
Naga People’s Front (NPF) president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, on Thursday mocked NDPP’s “change is coming” slogan and asked how could the party bring changes when it was “a collection of old corrupted leaders”.
Addressing election campaign for party candidate from 9 Kohima Town A/C, Dr. Tseilhoutuo (Ato), at PWD junction here Thursday evening, Dr. Shürhozelie said NDPP was like “a private party”.
NPF president exuded confidence that by dropping the corrupt leaders from the previous ministry NPF would form the government with new team of members with new vision, programmes and policies.
Dr. Shürhozelie said the new government would “try to build the fair name of the government.”
NPF president also appealed to the gathering not to be swayed by money but use their precious vote sensibly.
Dr. Shürhozelie said that despite atrocities and violence meted out to Christians across the nation, Nagaland state upholds Article 25 of the constitution which safeguards freedom to profess, practice and propagate his own religion.
However, he lamented that Christians do not enjoy such right in most of the BJP-ruled states where the church leaders, pastors face harassment every day and missionaries from abroad could not enter India freely. He also cited recent denial of Visa to one of the missionaries from World Baptist Alliance to India.
Admitting that NPF had alliance with BJP for the last 14 years, Dr. Shürhozelie, however, said that in 2018 they became aggressive by asking for more seat share. At last, he said BJP succumbed to the NDPP offer for 20 seats.
In his address, MP Rajya Sabha, KG Kenye, said told the gathering not to regret for the next five years by electing the wrong person.
He said for the last 55 years NPF stood by Naga issue and would continue to advocate for permanent peace and solution no matter whether NPF governed the state or remained in the opposition.
NPF candidate from 9 Kohima Town A/C, Dr. Tseilhoutuo, also spoke at the campaign programme.
BJP-NDPP threat to Nagas: CM
Intensifying his attack on BJP-NDPP alliance ahead of the assembly polls, chief minister, TR Zeliang, Thursday asserted that giving 20 seats to BJP, which he alleged would destroy the identity and tradition of Nagas, did not go well with Naga tradition.
Addressing the elections rallies at Wokha and Bhandari, NPF chief ministerial candidate said “They have sold out their rights out of depression.”
On chances of winning seats, Zeliang said, “I can hardly see NDPP will win more than 10 seats. And how many can you expect of BJP? To form government it requires more than 30 seats. NPF is confident to get majority.”
Attacking NDPP chief ministerial candidate Neiphiu Rio, Zeliang questioned the achievements under his chief ministership for 11 years. “Instead of securing central funds for development, he had landed state with 1234 cr rupees deficit. For fear of such misappropriation of huge amount, he tried to run away from the State. He had misused funds allotted under 13th Finance Commission. However, under 14th Finance Commission my government managed to overcome the crisis and development continues,” Zeliang said.
Zeliang also alleged that Rio was not sincere, saying he tried to destroy the existence of NPF before he shifted to NDPP. “Political tremor began in the state when he attempted to become a union minister but failed and tried to return to state politics,” Zeliang was quoted as saying by NPF press and information cell.
Meanwhile, Zeliang expressed confidence that NPF would retain power in Nagaland with supports from its allies. He informed that NPP which is fielding 25 candidates have signed an agreement with NPF for coalition. “Other parties including independents are also talking with us for coalition”.
In this regard, Zeliang appealed to the electorates to vote in favour of the NPF, which he said protects the interests of the Nagas.
Zeliang also cautioned the voters to be wise while voting and know which political party would safeguard the interests of the Nagas.
He said it was the NPF with cock symbol that stood for Naga political solution since its inception in 1963.