NPF stands for indigenous people, says Awangbow
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 08 2019:
Indigenous people of Manipur need a common platform through which they can articulate and voice their concerns and aspirations, and NPF is the much needed common platform, asserted the party's Manipur unit president Awangbow Newmai.
Speaking to a few media persons today, Awangbow said that most political parties don't understand nor ever bother to understand the concerns, grievances and aspirations of the indigenous people of Manipur.
NPF is fielding its candidate in Outer Manipur PC so that the grievances and aspirations of the indigenous people of the State can be voiced in the Parliament, he said.
The State's hill areas have been suffering acute shortage of infrastructure in terms of road communication, educational institutions etc.
The NPF candidate, if elected, would bring the required fund from the Centre to fulfil the infrastructure requirements, Awangbow said.
|
He said that there is a growing need to upgrade JNIMS to the status of RIMS and RIMS to the level of AIIMS even though Manipur is a leading State in health sector in the North East region.
The NPF candidate, if elected, would actively pursue these growing needs.
Even though the National Sports University had commenced its sessions, it has not been activated to its full potential.
Even though there are three/four universities in the State, their performances are not satisfactory.
There are so many things to be done and the NPF candidate, if elected, would work in all these areas, he said.
Saying that NPF has been supporting the BJP-led coalition Government as a constituent party with the primary objective of bringing positive changes in the State, the NPF State unit president said that there is no internal crisis.
Even if there are certain differences among the coalition partners, it is an internal matter.
There are differences even in a Government which is formed by a single party, Awangbow said.
There are differences of opinions on some issues such as CAB but there was no pre-poll alliance between BJP and NPF.
NPF is fielding its candidate in Outer Manipur PC based on an independent decision, not because there is any contradiction between BJP and NPF, he continued.
There is peace and stability in the State as a result of the alliance forged between NPF and BJP.
There are difference of interests among communities and the Govt should take all these into account while working out a solution to any issue or problem, he said.
The Naga peace talk has been going on since the past many years at the initiative of the Government of India.
"Our only desire is peace and we have been exploring a solution which would be acceptable and beneficial to all sections", said the NPF Manipur unit president.
Regarding the assumption that NPF represents the interests of only Nagas, Awangbow said that the authenticity of the assumption may be judged by the people.
There are many big political parties but they cannot bridge the gaps that exist among people.
On the contrary, NPF is a small political party which is often said to be Naga-centric but NPF has been working relentlessly to bridge the gaps that existed among different communities and bring all the communities to an understanding, he said.
These days people have realised the importance of regional parties.
It is questionable whether Congress party would have taken the issue of CAB with the level of seriousness it showed had the regional parties not taken a resolute stand and voiced vehement opposition, he added.