NPF announces 16 candidates for Feb 27 Nagaland elections

February 4, 2023 101 Views No Comment

nd phase of candidates to be declared on February 5

Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 4

The Naga People’s Front (NPF) today announced a list of 16 candidates, which it termed as a 1st phase list for the February 27 Nagaland polls (See table). More candidates will be announced in the 2nd phase on February 5, according to NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon.

NPF President, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu distributed the party tickets to the 15 candidates at NPF Central Office, Kohima. One candidate, Yangdipi Sangtam could not turn up at the ticket distribution ceremony.

We will surely be kingmaker in formation of next govt: Azo
MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, leader of the NPF Legislature Party hoped that the 2023 elections in Nagaland will bring better life, peace, prosperity and better understanding among all communities against the backdrop of ‘nepotism, favouritism, multiple taxation and extortion.’

“We hope this election will bring back peace and tranquillity,” he said and urged the entire NPF party to fight this election with commitment.“If we stand united we can win. We will go to election with trust in God and together we can,” he said.

Stating that the NPF legislators have been reduced to only four in the NLA, he asked party workers not to be disheartened, assuring them that the party’s four legislators are committed and can make a difference.

“The question of being in the opposition does not arise. We will surely be the kingmaker in the formation of next government because today lots of parties are taking part,” he said. No party will get absolute majority, he forecasted, adding that the NPF had adopted a pre poll understanding for post poll alliance.

NPF the only viable regional political party: Dr Liezietsu
NPF President Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu said that NPF is the only viable regional political party in Nagaland which is rooted in the unique history of the Naga people, and “as such, we represent the identity of the Naga people, we represent the aspirations of the Naga people.”

“We are here to protect the democratic rights of our people, to preserve our cultural heritages, to salvage socio-economic trend which is on the diminishing return, to safeguard the all-round interests of our people, to build a secured future for our children and our grand children, and we are here to defend our faith,” he said. Dr Liezietsu said that the NPF would “continue to hold our fort under any circumstances, come what may.”

He admitted that the party has faced a setback in the recent past “due to the betrayal of our party by the team captain and his players who scored a suicide goal and at last surrendered to their opponent team.”

“Whatever had happened, I want to assure you that NPF stands on firm foundation which can never be shaken by any force. Standing on such a firm foundation, there is nothing to worry because we will overcome the present set back sooner than expected through hard work in days to come,” he said.

On party tickets, he maintained that “under the present circumstances, this will not be the final list but we will continue the process till the last moment. For those candidates who missed today’s function, party ticket will be awarded to them by the Central Office as per the merit of the case.”

The NPF President further said that other political parties cannot match the extent to which the NPF’s manifesto has been brought out.”“We are against extortion, corruption, imbalances in development. We are in support of the rule of law and justice, socio-economic development, improvement of rural economy, employment opportunity for our youth, women empowerment, protection of the minority communities, and to offer a welfare government to the people in letter and spirit,” he said.