NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü formally kicked off the party’s campaign for the ensuing Lok Sabha by-poll at Ura Academy hall here on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, the veteran leader commented that Nagas were ignorant and blind with the love for money, little realising that an alien force was penetrating into Naga soil. He thus urged voters to exercise their vote consciously.
He said the ensuing by-election will be the right time for Nagas to prove whether they want to protect their identity or sell it.
Terming NPF candidate C Apok Jamir as a humble person who knows the Naga history in depth, Dr. Liezietsü asserted that Jamir is the right person to represent the Nagas in Delhi. He said though Tokheho Yepthomi is contesting from NDPP, he cannot be called a regional politician as NDPP is still not a regional party.
Liezietsü alleged that minorities across the country are being persecuted by RSS, of which BJP is a political wing, and insisted that Nagas should know this.
He said if the Nagas want to vote for Hindus, then they can vote for Tokheho. However, if they want to vote for secularism and for the sake of Christianity, they should then vote for Jamir, he added.
The NPF president remarked that parliamentary election was as important as Assembly election and appealed to party workers and voters to participate in the by-poll. He said, if 26 NPF MLAs stand firm and perform their duties, the ruling PDA government will bring its own downfall.
Addressing the campaign, NPF legislative party leader TR Zeliang claimed that his party was in an advantageous position for having base at village level, whereas other parties like NDPP, BJP, NPP or JD (U) were yet to reach the grassroots level.
Asserting that NPF was the only real regional party, he said though NDPP claims to a regional party, it has no head or tail.
He alluded to the suspension of State BJP leaders for signing the statement calling for solution before election in January and said, had NDPP really cared for Nagas, they would have at least convinced BJP leaders to revoke the suspension order.
Zeliang alleged that though NDPP is showing to be working as a regional party from the outside, it is BJP who is working internally. He remarked that had the PDA alliance put up a BJP candidate, he or she was destined to lose the by-election.
Alleging that the Naga peace process was heading towards an unknown destination, the leader of opposition said underground groups, tribal Hohos and Nagas should realise this.
He said the PDA government comprising five political parties had announced many programmes for completion within 60/100 days. But the minister in charge of road and bridges has started to blame the weather for poor roads now, he added.
Questioning whether the chief engineer or engineer was ignorant that rains in Nagaland begin in April, Zeliang said repairing of roads in April-May will be a sham as quality will be compromised.
Claiming that the same project was taken up by his government, he said his government had, however, maintained transparency and accountability by declaring names of contractors, amounts sanctioned, etc, unlike keeping them hidden like the PDA government.
Referring to Neiphiu Rio-led government’s announcement to remove VIP culture, Zeliang said Nagas had hoped for a change but instead a number of political party leaders have been given the status of cabinet ministers and ministers of state and asked whether this was called “removal” of VIP culture.
The leader of opposition further claimed that his government had brought Rs 283 crore for VDBs just before Christmas in 2017, but could not distribute it as Assembly election was announced. He said, even after distributing the money by the present PDA government, Rs 45 crore was still left and that all records are lying with planning and finance departments in this regard.
Regretting that Nagas did not take Parliament election seriously, Zeliang said it is crucial to have a Naga MP now when talks on the Naga political issue is going on in full swing. He exuded confidence that the NPF candidate will win the by-election as, according to him, even original Congress supporters will not vote for the PDA candidate. He said he is in touch with leaders of Congress, NPP and other parties who will be joining hands with NPF.
Predicting that the NDPP led government will collapse even without touching, Zeliang said if the NPF candidate wins the by-poll, it will be a precursor to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and demoralise the ruling coalition.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajya Sabha member KG Kenye said voters preferred to vote for the candidates who were aligned with the power at the Centre. However, this has not happened since the Centre has not provided the much needed assistance and for which Nagaland continues to remain economically backward and always in financial deficit.
He further urged the Nagas not to compromise with their rights or the special constitutional provision.
In his speech, NPF candidate C. Apok Jamir admitted that election is always a challenge, but added that the commitment of party workers gave him tremendous boost. He asserted that though NPF is in the opposition, it has a good chance of winning the by-election with the concerted effort of all party workers, adding, if NPF wins the election, it will be a turning point for the party.
On the PDA government’s slogan “Together with all, development for all”, Jamir said if the slogan is translated into Hindi it will read as a carbon copy of BJP’s slogan in 2014 parliamentary election “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.
Reminding the electorate that parliamentary election is equally important as an Assembly election, he urged the Nagas to lend their voice in support of their rights and ensure that no outside force dilutes the identity of Nagas.
Jamir asserted that being Nagaland’s sole representative in Lok Sabha will not make him voice-less and that he will stand for truth and give his best, if elected. He commented that his victory will be a victory for the Nagas.
NPF legislators also addressed the gathering. NPF workers from various divisions under Kohima district, by-poll campaign committee members and central leaders attended the campaign programme.
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