\nNPCC had in a letter to the ECI dated April 30 stated that the state chief minister, his council of ministers and parliamentary secretaries were to grace the Moats? festival of the Ao tribe on the May 2 at Longkhum village; on May 3 at Chuchuyimlang and Khar villages and on May 4 at Mokokchung Town. The NPCC objected to the presence of the VIPs as the villages were in close proximity with the 26 Aonglenden Assembly constituency where the by-election is to be held on May 7.
\nImchen expressed amusement at the NPCC complaint on the presence of the VVIPs for celebrating Moats?. He said Moats? and Tsungremong are synonymous to the Ao tribe and perfectly blended to the traditions and culture of the Aos. Imkong said the festival had nothing to do with the election and claimed that if the NPCC was against participation of the chief minister and his ministers and other dignitaries, then it showed the NPCC was against the Ao Naga tradition and culture.
\nHe countered by wishing that the NPCC would not complain about the observance of Christmas, Easter Sunday etc of the Christians. Imkong also expressed apprehension that the NPCC may even complain to their party high command on the observation of Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday church services.
\n\u201cPerhaps they are more attached and concerned about celebration of Durga Puja, Diwali etc.\u201d and added that since it is NPCC\u2019s philosophy and their culture, the NPF would not complain. He said since the defeat of the Congress candidate in the May 7 by election was a \u201ccertainty\u201d it was therefore, \u201c natural that they (NPCC) are not in their best mood\u201d.
\nIn an exclusive interview to Nagaland Post, Imkong disclosed that the NPF was fighting the by-election based basically on Naga political issue.
\nHe said the individual was not an issue but rather the endorsement of the people\u2019s wishes was being looked into in accordance with the programs and policies of the NPF.
\nHe stated that the DAN government under the NPF leadership was committed to an early solution of Naga political issue and reiterated that the Naga people was the high command of the NPF . He said \u201cthe programs and policies of the NPF vis-?-vis Naga political is the demonstration and desire and the interest of the Naga people\u201d. He said the Congress in Nagaland cannot function independently unless directed by their party high command in Delhi.
\nImkong therefore said the Congress activities and ideology cannot be termed as the in the best interest of the Naga people. According to the Imchen, that was the difference between the NPF and the Congress in Nagaland. He further added that the NPF stood on solid ground of the Nagas without any interference from Delhi or elsewhere. He said it was therefore imperative that the NPF candidate Toshipokba \u201chas to be elected as a true Naga candidate\u201d and \u201cperhaps the defeat of the Congress candidature in this by-election has become inevitable\u201d. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"