Attributes development deficit to unresolved Naga issue, lack of own resource
KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 9: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today launched the election campaign for NDPP candidates Salhoutuonuo Kruse for Western Angami Assembly Constituency and Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome for Northern Angami-I seat.
Speaking at both occasions, Rio said that while the State lags behind in developmental activities, the drawback has been the unresolved Naga Political Issue and the State’s lack of own resources.
He said that while the NSCN-IM and Working Committee of NNPGs have been engaging in dialogue with the Government of India for solution to the Naga issue and they have even inked the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position but final solution is evading the Nagas because of the disunity among the different groups and also the various tribal organizations.
He also informed that with the ongoing Naga political negotiations, the Government of India has assured of giving 20 more seats for the State Assembly and increasing two more seats for the Lok Sabha which will give one each Parliament seat to Eastern Nagaland, Central Nagaland and Tenyimi area beside more seats in Rajya Sabha.
Other major decisions would be conduct of delimitation exercises post population census so that the Assembly Constituencies can be rearranged to overcome the present discrepancies.
Asserting confidence that the NDPP-BJP alliance will once again form the government after the February 27 election, he wooed the electorates to send their representatives to strengthen the government as there are many major decisions to be taken in the 14th Nagaland Assembly.
Also pointing out that in the last elections, where the NDPP and BJP had contested with 40:20 seat sharing formula, his party had won only 18 seats while BJP won in 12, he said that as per equation NDPP had won lesser seats therefore he called upon the NDPP leaders and functionaries to work harder to win maximum seats in the ensuing election.
He said that the NDPP party manifesto speaks about gender equality hence it has fielded two women Salhuotuonuo Kruse for Western Angami A/C and Hekhani Jakhalu for Dimapur-III A/C giving equal opportunity for women to be the highest decision making body.
He stressed that with the mindset of Naga people towards women should change as they are equal partners and should get every opportunity.
Further saying that it was Rano M Shaiza, the first and only women Member of Parliament and today Western Angami constituency is on the verge of epoch making by sending the first women legislator to State Assembly.
Highlighting the two flagship schemes launched by his Government last year ~ CM Health Insurance Scheme and CM Micro Finance Initiative ~ he called upon the people to avail the benefit for better health and improving their economy.
Equal infrastructural development & representation: Kruse
Salhoutounuo Kruse, one of the two women nominees of NDPP, in her speech, said she is contesting the polls feeling the necessity to have equal infrastructural development and representation of urban and rural areas.
As the Western Angami also has five urban areas from Kohima town beside the Western Angami villages, she said that efforts would be to create a model constituency in the State.
She asserted that given the opportunity to represent the people, she would work for youth and women empowerment by providing skill development training for employability.
Kruse wooed the electorates saying that she would endeavour to improve the quality of life of the people by enhancing good governance, peace and security.
Her campaign kick-off held at Khonoma Community Hall, Khonoma village, was chaired by campaign director Khrielievi Chüsi wherein NPF 8th Western Angami A/C president Makolie Shosahie and also political advisor from town area Khrielakuo Sekhose declared full support to Kruse’s candidature.
Will work collectively with leaders for development: Yhome
Speaking at the campaign kick-off held at Ziekezou, Kohima village, Kekhrielhoulie Yhome asserted that he envisions working to bring about more development in the constituency with the collective decision of the village and ward leaders.
NDPP senior vice president Menuovilie Kesiezie also tried to woo the electorate by asserting that sending a representative to be in the government would bring more development to the constituency.
He also lauded the other three ticket seekers of the constituency including NDPP general secretary Prasielie Pienyü and Kelhouneizo Yhome for remaining in the party and deciding to work together for the official party candidate.
NDPP 10-Northern Angami-I A/C president V Neiba Pienyü chaired the programme.
(Page News Service)
