Common platform for 19 Phek, 14 SA-I ACs

Dzülhami village council under 19th Phek Assembly Constituency on Monday, organized a common platform programme for the intending candidates including Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu from NPF, Zachilhu Vadeo from Congress and Kupota Khesoh from NDPP. While a common platform for the intending candidates of 14 Southern Angami-I A/C was held at Mima village for the two candidates from the constituency including independent candidate Kevipodi Sophie and NDPP candidate Medo Yhokha.
19th Phek Assembly Constituency: Taking the stage, Azo Nienu called for free and fair election to be practiced and let no hatred spread among the candidates and appealed that the Naga people should follow the call for clean election if they want change. He said NPF was contesting the election with the hope that if voted to power, Naga people would have a hope in the face of difficulty, injustice, nepotism, tribalism, favouritism, trust deficit, multiple taxation or extortion and for a better future.
He also asserted that if the party was part of the formation of next Government, it would be their priority to address the unemployment problem by encouraging and promoting private sector employment and private entrepreneurship for the youths. He maintained that the NPF top programme for the students was to reward free laptop to all the students from class 12, subsidy for students for all meritorious students for higher education, streamline healthcare system and produce effective services for the needy.
He asserted that no political party would secure absolute majority to form the next Government and that NPF had reduce the allotment of tickets distribution to 22 so that it would produce the best result.
NDPP candidate, Kupota Khesoh in his speech said that he represents the party which was to form the next Government and that he stands as candidate to change the constituency to a better one.
He said he was representing for the change in the constituency and if the people elected him, he would emphasize on the improvement of the rural economy. He highlighted that, his main focus would be on development of the rural areas, agri and allied field and asserted for the upliftment of the education system in the area.
Veteran Congress leader and former Minister, Zachilhu in his speech praised the organizers for the common platform where all the candidates could freely express their minds to the public. He said that after the Congress Government for the 15 years, the rest 20 years governance had witnessed a high corruption rate. He also accused the present Government that due to corruption in all spheres, development in the state were not visible as all the respective schemes and programmes were not been implemented.
He was of the view that God must have heard the cry of the Naga people for a change in Government and the system, so Congress candidature had come in a big number and maintained that, Congress would form a coalition Government with other party and bring a change in the Naga society.
14 Southern Angami – I A/C: Taking the stage, Kevipodi Sophie said he joined the poll race solely with visions to help the people and assured the people that given the chance to represent them he would work without discrimination and give power back to the people.
What kind of power you may ask and that would be if the government allocates any fund, it would be distributed proportionately among the villages so that they would be able to utilise it for their own developmental activities, he said.
He stressed on the need to address the unemployment issue since there were a lot of educated unemployed youths and there were not enough government jobs.
This issue, he said could be resolved by emphasizing on skill development. He pointed out that the region had enough natural resources, flora, fauna and fertile land which should be harnessed by the youths and be able to earn their livelihood subsequently.
And in order to be able to help educated youths who are looking for avenues for self-sustenance, Sophie said he would formulate ways to assist them by providing financial and logistical assistance.
Sophie also highlighted the need to protect and voice out the concerns over Kezoltsa forest.
Sitting MLA and NDPP candidate Medo Yhokha said he realised there was a need to carry out a lot of works for the constituency as his brief tenure of being their representative through a by-election was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said he was seeking for re-election to the 14th NLA with the vision to work for the people and requested the people to accept him so that he would be able to fulfil his aspirations for the people.
Seeking the people’s support, Yhokha said he was willing to be the bridge between the people and the government if they would give him the chance.
He said he had visions for the widows, senior citizens, youths and urged the people to work together.
The programme was chaired by Mima village council chairman, Kamo Leno while invocation was pronounced by pastors of CRC, BRC, Baptist and Catholic churches in the village. Vote of thanks was proposed by Mima GB, Kipfhezo Ngukha.