The Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Saturday warned the Naga people not to gamble with their faith, culture and identity and accused the nascent Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) of partnering with the BJP to set its root into Nagaland to persecute the Naga people.
Naga People’s Front president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu said the NPF had alliance with the BJP for 14 years but never encouraged the BJP to set its foot into Nagaland. He urged the Naga people not to gamble with their beliefs and way of life.
Addressing an election rally at Shamator for the NPF candidate R Tohanba contesting from 58 Shamator-Chessore Assembly Constituency the NPF president said, “NDPP has offered 20 seats to BJP which is trying to set its foot in our land.”
Dr Shurhozelie reminded that the “NPF is the only regional party of the state which represents the identity and the aspiration of the Naga people” and that the party belongs to every Naga.
He also called upon the people that joining hands with the NPF is the right decision to protect the future and faith of the Naga people.
Speaking on the NPF manifesto, Dr Shurhozelie said it is based on the all-round development and which is practical and not a visionary book or a mere wish-list, and that the manifesto is concentrated mainly for the uplift of the rural areas and the rural people.
He also warned that in 2018 election, many Naga leaders as well as the voters in search of money will bargain our identity as well as our faith, but predicted that the NPF will form the government with absolute majority.
“God must be weeping when Naga leaders were selling the rights and the freedom of the Naga people for their sheer greed for power and money”, he said adding that many Naga leaders embrace and seek any ideology which may be very harmful for the Naga society just for their self-interests.
Dr Shurhozelie said though during the 15-year rule of NPF government, many achievements have taken place but regretted that the 12th House saw the greatest crisis in the history of Nagaland government and this crisis had developed due to some corrupt and power-mongering leaders.
However, he maintained that many of these leaders were dropped from the NPF party and were denied party tickets. He informed that of the 48 NPF MLAs only 17 were allotted party tickets and added that as promised, the NPF have fielded fresh, capable and winnable leaders who have concerns for the uplift of the Naga people.
During the election rally, the two working presidents of the party, Apong Pongener, Huska Yepthomi, NPF Central Secretary, Changlemba, General Secretary Youth Wing Central, Sentiyanger also spoke on the occasion.