Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) which will make its maiden entry to Manipur in the forthcoming Legislative Assembly election has reportedly decided to contest in only in twelve Naga inhabited assembly constituencies though the final list of party ticket was yet to be finalized.
NPF top brass led by its president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü and chief minister Neiphiu Rio who met with the five member-Manipur election committee headed by T R Zeliang had an inconclusive brain storming session Tuesday evening to finalize the lists of the aspiring. The meeting reportedly resumed at the official residence of the chief ministers Wednesday but remained deadlocked, sources said.
The areas of dispute were three constituencies pertaining to the issue of three sitting MLAs and UNC candidates seeking NPF tickets but who were declared as “betrayers” by UNC for failing to resign from the Manipur assembly last year in deference of the people’s decision.
Both NPF President Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and Secretary General K.G Kenye when contacted, confirmed that the meeting could not finalise the list but added, it would be finalized within a day or two.
Further, Kenye said selection of candidates would be made after survey report of almost half the assembly constituencies was received by the party.
It may be mentioned that altogether 56 aspiring candidates for 14 different Assembly Constituencies of Manipur including two from the Kuki dominated areas have applied for the NPF party ticket.
In one of the assembly constituency under Ukhrul district, there are at least nine NPF ticket apirants while in another constituency, there were seven applicants.
It was also confirmed that a candidate from the Meitei community was also among NPF ticket aspirants for a constituency in Imphal.
Altogether, 55 out of the total 56 applicants for the NPF party tickets were made to sign a pledge earlier on December 30 last at Naga Taphou village declaring that they would support for the success of the NPF official candidature even if they were denied the NPF Party ticket.
NPF Secretary General K.G.Kenye also disclosed he would be leaving for Delhi to obtain clearance for the party symbol ‘Cock’ from the Election Commission of India in the forthcoming election to the Manipur Legislative Assembly, as the NPF is entering Manipur election for the first time.
10 executive members for Kuki areas
DIMAPUR, JAN 4 (NPN): NPF has appointed ten executive members for Kangpokpi and Churanchandpur divisions in Manipur making inroads in Kuki inhabited areas. A press release from NPF Central HQ signed by secretary Thangsat Thangeo Tuesday said due to NPF’s “talented and far sighted leaders”, the party now had the potential to reach greater heights.
While appreciating the DAN government for the “all-round development” in Nagaland, the press release said that Nagas and Kukis should “live and co-exist harmoniously”.
It also stated that NPF has “partly fulfilled” the vision of the “Naga Club” by trying to bring together the people of all Naga inhabited areas to work for a common cause. The press release also reminded that Lengjang Kuki was one of the signatory members of the Naga Club memorandum to Simon Commission in 1929.