Nagaland Congress leader belittles NPF
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 24, 2012:
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Tokheho has asserted that the 12 candidates fielded by Naga People's Front (NPF) for the 10th Manipur legislative Assembly election would have no impact in Manipur.
Speaking to newspersons at Congress Bhavan here today, Tokheho observed that with only 12 candidates of the NPF fielded in the hill districts out of Manipur's 60 Assembly constituencies role of the NPF legislators, even if elected, could not change fate of Manipur State or the people they would be representing in the Assembly.
Tokheho arrived here today for some hours during which he held a lengthy discussion with the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president G Gaikhangam.
What transpired at the meeting that lasted for nearly two hours, could not be confirmed.
Tokheho was accompanied by MLAs KV Pusa and Joshua, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee vice presidents Niallo Rengma and Khuosathno, general secretary Medokul Sophie, vigilance committee chairman R Paphino and Kohima BCC president Prasielie.
Interacting with some newspersons prior to the meeting with Gaikhangam, Tokheho said Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's flamboyant election campaign for NPF candidates and his blistering comments against Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh could not be converted into votes.
Rio flying to meeting venues in chopper is merely a publicity stunt, said the Congress legislator.
Reacting to Rio's alleged comment that Ibobi Singh is an anti-national, Tokheho said an individual who acts or works under the Indian Constitution is not an anti-national.
He also observed that even if some NPF nominees succeeded in the upcoming election in Manipur, impact of the positive outcome would be irrelevant when election to the Nagaland assembly is conducted.
On being questioned whether Nagaland Congress leaders would campaign for their colleagues in Manipur, Tokheho expressed that without proper understanding of Manipur, existing situation and pulse of the people it would be more prudent to remain out of poll-related activities.
He also clarified that visit of the NPCC delegation has no connection with the Manipur election.
The NPCC team, who arrived on the NH-39 with Nagaland State security personnel left for their home State later in the afternoon.