Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, AUG 1 (NPN): A new political party, the Unified Covenant Party (UCP), was launched at Bade village in Chümoukedima district on Saturday, with its leaders pledging to promote corruption-free, value-based politics and electoral reforms in Nagaland.
Addressing media persons after the launch, UCP president Zhoponeyi Zuo, a retired senior commandant of the CISF, said the party was “brainchild” on the Change Over Initiative Nagaland (COIN), a group of Naga intellectuals and religious members concerned over the state’s socio-political condition.
Zuo said the party was formed to bring about systemic change by tackling corruption, which he described as rooted in the practice of vote-buying.
He alleged that candidates spend huge sums during elections and subsequently seek to recover those expenses through the misuse of public funds.
He also alleged that substantial leakages in government expenditure have deprived development projects and welfare schemes of their intended impact, questioning whether sanctioned funds were reaching beneficiaries.
Calling for electoral reforms, Zuo urged civil society organisations and churches to educate voters against accepting money in exchange for votes. He said the party would work towards electing “God-fearing leaders” committed to integrity and public service.
Zuo clarified that the UCP had no plans to align with any other political party and would function independently while adhering to its faith-based principles.
He said the party has made its initial organisational appointments, including that of the general secretary and other office-bearers.
UCP has adopted the Myrtle flower as its party symbol. Zuo said the symbol represents peace, love, righteousness and restoration, adding that it was inspired by a spiritual vision experienced by his daughter and also holds Biblical significance.
The programme also featured the inauguration of the party office and was attended by local leaders, church representatives and well-wishers.