NPF Legislature party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, while acknowledging the standing order of the Supreme Court to conduct the Urban Loal Body elections (ULBs), however, maintained that the government should listen to the voices of the people.
Citing the 2017 violence where two persons had lost their lives during the protest against holding of ULB polls, Azo said his party had faced a bitter experience and therefore felt that the government and the Supreme Court should listen to the voices of the people.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the felicitation programme for the two NPF legislators, Azo said the main reason the government was trying to push the ULB polls was for “monetary benefit.” “They (government) say that we are losing a lot of funds if we do not hold ULB polls. Why should we lose our political rights just because of money,” Azo stated.
While asserting that the ULB polls should be held, Azo however, opined that elections should be kept on hold or postponed for few months till the issues were resolved and also review the Municipal Act, 2021.
Also present at the press meet, NPF legislator Achumbemo Kikon said that the NPF working committee had met on March 17 and conveyed that the government should not take any step before arriving at a consensus decision with the public. Kikon also stated that NPF did not want face the 2017-like episode, where two persons had lost their lives, government offices burnt down, houses of some candidates were vandalized etc.
No question or merger: When asked if the two NPF legislators would merge with the NDPP/BJP like the 21 NPF MLAs had jumped ship in the previous house, Achumbemo Kikon—chief whip of the party, said that there was no question of merger.
He said the party had already dispatched the letter of support to the Rio-led government particularly based on the Naga political issue, adding that it was one of the principles that NPF maintained and supported the government in the past as well. He said if the government does not reciprocate, the party will be left with no other choice but to take another step.
On the other hand, Azo said that whether the two legislators were in the government or not, they will raise questions during the assembly session and speak for the rights of the Nagas.
Azo reminded that though NPF had been in the opposition-less government for nearly a year in the previous tenure, they had raised questions and charged the government. This trend will be continued even in the new house, he added.
