Solving Naga issue NPF’s top priority: Azo

State Home minister and Naga People’s Front (NPF) leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said his party’s top priority would be to settle the Naga political issue, even as he asserted that any political settlement would have to be under the popular government.
Addressing an election rally at S Colony community hall, Dzulha village in Phek district on Friday, Azo, who is NPF’s candidate from 19th Phek constituency in the ensuing Assembly election, also exuded confidence that NPF alone would able to cross the magic number of 30 to form the next government. “But nevertheless, we will take alliance partners into consideration in the formation of the next government,” he said.
He also predicted that BJP would win three to six seats, while its alliance partner Nationalist Democratic People’s Party (NDPP) would get eight seats at the most.
Azo told party men and women that NPF in its manifesto had emphasised reviewing seriously the application of Naga customary laws and practices and initiate to bring in adequate legislative measures to strengthen and empower further the administrative and judicial functions of village councils in the State.
Stating that the NPF would focus on systematic reforms, he said the party would institutionalise the reforms measures in governance and then the functioning within the changed system would produce positive results, “gradually transforming Nagaland”.
Mentioning that corruption had limits and that one should not cross it, Azo added that developmental works should not be hampered or allowed to come to standstill because of graft. He said, as part of anti-corruption measures, cleansing the process of governance from corruption would be a very serious agenda of NPF.
“Corruption of all kinds, especially misuse, misappropriation and siphoning of precious resources, unjustified cost escalation of projects and payments made against ghost schemes and employees will be dealt with firmly as per law and serious corruption cases with prima facie evidences will be handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to bring the culprits to book,” he declared.
Expressing his gratitude to his supporters for displaying their allegiance to his leadership, Azo also sought their support in the forthcoming election.
While appealing to vote for NPF, Azo asserted NPF was one of the oldest regional parties in the country and that its ideology and identity stood for Naga people.
He declared that there won’t be posts of parliamentary secretaries and advisors in the next ministry, but assured that his party’s government would provide “honourable and effective involvement” in governance to legislators without attracting the issue of holding office of profit under Article 191 of the Constitution of India.
Azo added that protection of Naga identity, curbing the menace of illegal immigrants, imparting skills to youth, quality education and healthcare and promotion of agriculture and allied sectors would be on the agenda of the next NPF government.
Puriida Ringa, Riidutso Vasa, Chiekhuzo Lohe and Api Vadeo, NPF president of Phek constituency, also address the gathering.
The programme was chaired by NPF local unit chairman Dzulha Razouveyi Vasa, while invocation prayer was said by pastor CRC Dzulha Khriesasii. An introductory note was delivered by NPF general secretary Besupra Swuro, the party position in the village was highlighted by party’s Dzulha unit general secretary and benediction prayer was said by former pastor DBC Punusho.