NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu warned that a day would come when the Naga people will suffer and their identity perish if they do not realize what force is penetrating into their land.
He was addressing a gathering at an election rally for NPF candidate, Ar. Loguseng Semp (Logus) at Tseminyu town.
“The 2018 General Election is not just a contest between the political parties for the formation of government, but it will be a contest between outside forces and the force of the Naga people,” Dr. Shürhozelie said.
If the “tall leaders” who are succumbing to money and power are voted to power, they will land the Naga people into great trouble, he asserted. He further went on to say that the 2018 elections is a “selection between the destruction or preservation of the Naga people and their identity.”
Admitting that the NPF led 12th house of the NLA saw the greatest crisis due to some corrupt and power-mongering leaders, he pointed out that many of these leaders had been dropped and only 17 out of the 48 MLAs had been allotted party tickets. He claimed that the party had fielded fresh and capable leaders who were concerned about the upliftment of the Nagas.
Shürhozelie also stated that many political parties draft manifestos with tall promises to lure voters, but his party had written theirs in a pragmatic and achievable way purely for the development of the people.
He claimed that the NPF was not just a political party but it represented the identity of the Naga people.
He questioned which party, besides the NPF, belonged to the people since the newly floated NDPP was yet to be recognized by the ECI and the rest were all national parties.
He urged the Rengma community to elect their leader wisely so that they do not regret their decision in the future.
During his speech, the NPF candidate Logus expressed his gratitude for the party rank and file for having confidence in him and allotting to him the NPF ticket. He said that he joined the party because it represented the Naga identity and upliftment of Naga society, and he assured the gathering that he would work for the people if elected.
The working president of the Central Women’s Wing, Khriezobeinuo Sanchu and Pele Khezhie also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, NPF Tseminyu Division secretary, Ronseni Kemp chaired the programme, division president, Ahino Tep delivered the welcome address and the vote of thanks was pronounced by the party division general secretary, Stephen K. Rengma, and the invocation prayer was offered by Sr. Pastor, Sherhünlo Kent.