With or without solution, election will be held in Nagaland, Azo says

July 13, 2022 18 Views No Comment

Claims NPF ‘very much intact’ & will either form next Government or play kingmaker

Kohima, July 13 (MExN): The 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly election will take place “with or without solution” to the Naga Political issue, asserted Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, Co-Chairman of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Leader of NPF Legislature Party on July 12.

Addressing the 17th Chizami Assembly Constituency (AC) office bearers’ consultative meeting held at Pfütsero Tourist Lodge, he further maintained the Naga People’s Front (NPF) is ‘very much intact’ at grassroot, despite ‘defection’ of MLAs and it will either form the next Government or play kingmaker.

As per a statement issued by the NPF Press Bureau, Azo further elaborated on the imminence of assembly election ‘sooner or later’ by explaining that if “solution comes early then election may delay and if solution has not arrived then it will be held at its usual timing.”

The UDA Co-Chairman further said that the Nagas cannot go on without arriving at a solution to the vexed Naga political issue, while maintaining that NPF does not support any Naga political group but supports all equally.

“The main resolution of the NPF party on Naga Political issue is to arrive (at a solution) that is honourable, acceptable and inclusive,” he added.

Azo also reiterated that the regional NPF party was given birth to because of the Naga political issue and hence, does not belong to any individual or leader, but to the whole Naga people.

NPF, which represents the Naga identity, is deeply rooted to the Naga people unlike the BJP, which may have deep roots in India but not in Nagaland and NDPP, which is only about 5 years old, he added.

Denies weakening of NPF
Meanwhile, as per the statement, Azo also rejected “many rumours and news circulating in medias that the defection of the 21 NPF MLAs” has weakened the party set-up.

In reality, it is totally opposite as the grassroot NPF is very much intact, he asserted.

Accordingly, he iterated that the NPF is not a “party to merge with any other political parties but any other political parties can merge with the NPF.”

The “defected MLAs” were not leaders but they were followers, Azo claimed, and noted the party leaders and workers were “more faithful and stronger” after the “defection.”

He also regretted that when the defected 21 MLAs were in NPF, their position for the coming election was more secure, but after they abandoned the party, many of them are very doubtful to return, the statement added.

To this end, he the NPF leader also asserted that the party will either “form the next Government or it will be the king maker in forming the next Government.”

Meanwhile, MLA of 17th Chizami AC, Kezhienyi Khalo also noted that the Naga people’s love for NPF is ‘deep-rooted’ and opined that the “grassroot love” would help the party in forming the next Government.

Even if the NPF party was reduced to only 4 MLAs, seeing the Naga people movement and love for the party is beyond encouraging, he added.

While congratulating the new office bearers of the Chizami AC, he also has expressed the hope that under their leadership, NPF will win in the constituency in the coming election.

The NPF Secretary General, Achumbemo Kikon also noted that the NPF has stood for the Naga people in the past and in future too, the party will stand strong and work for the Naga people.

Due to the unfinished task to the Naga political issue, NPF was given birth in 1960’s and NPF will still stand for it, he asserted.

Similar sentiment was also shared by NPF Central General Secretary, Akho Leyri, who further noted that all the 60 seats will go for polls, despite views from many that the general election would be like a ‘bye-election’ after the ‘defection.’

Short speeches were also delivered by the new 17th Chizami AC President, Veli Medeo and CEC Member, P Paul, the statement added.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/with-or-without-solution-election-will-be-held-in-nagaland-azo-says