KOHIMA: Asserting that no force can stop Nagas from living together, Naga People’s Front (NPF) has called upon the United Naga Council (UNC) to support the fight for rights of the Naga people.
Shürhozelie, president NPF and Minister of Urban Development and Higher and Technical Education, said the forthcoming assembly elections in Manipur next month would be a referendum on whether Nagas live united as a family.
Interacting with various tribal groups and United Naga Council(UNC) at the NPF Manipur unit office at the district headquarters of Senapati in Manipur on Saturday, he said no one could stop Nagas from living together and added that the forthcoming assembly election was an opportunity for the Nagas.
He also stressed that the NPF was for good relationship with various communities, political parties and organisations both underground and over ground. He, however, said no one would be allowed to dictate terms to Nagas.
Dr Shürhozelie said the main purpose of the NPF was to defeat incumbent Okram Ibobi Singh.
He urged all Naga organisations and the Church of Manipur to support the NPF candidates in the polls.
He said the NPF in Manipur has received applications from candidates for 14 assembly seats while there was no ticket aspirant from Kuki dominated areas.
He, however, said the NPF could make some seat adjustments with other political parties in Kuki dominated areas.
Dr Shürhozelie also asserted that it was not necessary to always talk about being suppressed by the Meiteis and urged the Nagas to work in such a way that they exert themselves as a force.
Stating that this time they are contesting in only 14 constituencies, he pointed out that the hill area has 20 seats and if all can come together and work together then 20 people in a 60 member house would become a formidable force.
They can make their presence felt in the Assembly, their voice would be heard and that is all we want, the NPF president said. Altogether 55 of the total 56 aspiring candidates including two women who had applied for the NPF party ticket from 14 different assembly constituencies of Manipur attended a party function yesterday. All the candidates made a public pledge to remain loyal to the NPF party’s ideologies and support those who would eventually get party tickets. (UNI)