KOHIMA: Nagaland’s ruling Naga Peoples Front (NPF) will test its electoral fortune in the January 28 assembly election in neighbouring Manipur.
The party has decided to contest in twelve Naga inhabited constituencies. However, the final list was yet to be finalised.
According to sources, the NPF top brass, led by its president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who met the five member-Manipur Election Committee headed by Nagaland Planning and Cooperation, Veterinary Minister T R Zeliang, had an inconclusive brainstorming session on Tuesday to finalise the list of aspirants.
The meeting resumed at the official residence of the chief minister on Wednesday but remained inconclusive, sources said.
The areas of dispute were three constituencies pertaining to the issue of three sitting MLAs and United Naga Council candidates seeking NPF tickets but who were declared as ‘betrayers’ by UNC for failing to resign from the Manipur assembly last year in deference to the people’s wishes.
Altogether 56 aspirants for 14 constituencies of Manipur, including two from the Kuki dominated areas, have applied for the NPF ticket. In one of the constituencies under Ukhrul district, there are at least nine NPF aspirants while in another there are seven. It was also confirmed that a candidate from the Meitei(Manipuri) community was also among NPF aspirants for a constituency in Imphal.
Altogether, 55 of the total 56 applicants for the NPF tickets were made to sign a pledge on December 30 declaring that they would support the success of the NPF official candidature even if they were denied party ticket.
NPF secretary general KG Kenye said he would be leaving for Delhi to obtain clearance for the party symbol ‘cock’ from the Election Commission of India. The NPF has appointed ten executive members for Kangpokpi and Churanchandpur divisions in Manipur making inroads in Kuki inhabited areas. (UNI)