NPF to field candidates in 11 Naga dominated constituencies
Aspiring candidates swear to withdraw if denied ticket
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 30 2011: Keeping the demand for an 'alternative arrangement' for the Nagas in the forefront, Naga People's Front (NPF), a Political Party based in Nagaland, is all set to field candidates in 11 Naga inhabited Assembly segments of Manipur.

According to a highly reliable source, as many as 56 aspiring candidates hailing from 11 Naga inhibited Assembly Constituencies have been lobbying for NPF tickets to contest in the elections to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly scheduled on January 28, 2012 .

Out of the 56 aspiring candidates seeking NPF ticket, the largest number of ticket contenders are from Chandel Assembly Constituency.

Among them nine of them have already applied for the ticket.

The 11 Assembly Constituencies where the NPF is planning to field its candidates are Phungyar, Ukhrul and Chingai under Ukhrul district; Karong, Mao and Tadubi under Senapati district; Tamei, Tamenglong and Nungba under Tamenglong district and Chandel and Tengnoupal under Chandel district.

A meeting was organized by NPF Manipur State Unit at Naga Taphou Community Hall, Senapati Head Quarter today.

All the aspiring candidates lobbying for the NPF ticket and party leaders from Nagaland were present in the meeting during which details on ticket allotment was discussed.

The meeting was jointly presided over by Dr.Shurhozelie Liezietsu, President NPF and G Gaingam, President, NPF, Manipur State Unit.

The meeting unanimously resolved to field candidates in all 11 Naga inhabited Assembly Segments of Manipur.

The 56 aspiring candidates from 11 Naga inhibited Assembly Constituencies who are lobbying for NPF ticket reportedly swore to withdraw from contesting in the election in case the NPF tickets were denied to them.

Among the candidates lobbying for NPF ticket include MLA Awangbou Newmai; Kho John, former leader of UNC; Somi Keishing and some other Naga MLAs.

A member of NPF told Hueiyen Lanpao that there are proposals from some aspiring candidates for grant of party tickets for contesting the election from Saikul, Kangpokpi and Saitu, the three Assembly segments under Senapati district, where both Nagas and Kukis inhabit.

If the tickets were granted to these constituencies the number of constituencies where the NPF will field its candidates will increase to 14 and majority of the candidates will come out successful.

If not the single largest party, the NPF will come out as the second single largest party in the coming polls and the Nagas will be able to hold a big place in Manipur State Assembly, the NPF member expressed confidence.

The NPF member further revealed that almost all Naga organizations will be supporting the NPF candidates.

Even Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio is all set to start political campaigns in Manipur.

The NPF Member observed that NPF is the only regional party of the Nagas recognized by the Election Commission of India.

The primary aim of the NPF is to integrate the scattered Nagas as one and bring them together under one administrative unit.

The Nagaland State Assembly had also resolved to unite the Nagas in 1964 .

Dr.Shurhozelie Liezietsu, at the meeting held at Naga Taphou Community Hall, Senapati Head Quarter exhorted all the party men, ticket seekers and the public to strive for opening the first account of the party in Manipur and said NPF is an old political party that stands for the rights of the Nagas as well as the indigenous people of the Northeast.

He further said that so far the Nagaland State Assembly has passed resolution on Naga integration for four times since 1964 .

"NPF has not done any harm to other communities of Manipur when it talks about Naga integration because it is our birthright", he maintained.

Talents of the Naga youths have become dull due to lack of facilities and proper infrastructures in the hill areas of Manipur, Dr.Shurhozelie Liezietsu asserted, adding that if voted to power in the coming general election, the party will raise the voice of the Nagas in Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Z Lohe, Political Advisor to the Nagaland Chief Minister appealed to all party men not to misuse the name of any social organization while working for the party, and added that NPF believes in maintaining communal harmony and equal rights for the tribal people.

NPF Secretary General K.G.Kenye, while appealing to the people of the state, particularly the Nagas, to vote for NPF to realize the long cherished dream of the community, pointed out that there are around 700 different political parties registered with the Election Commission of India but NPF is the only party wherein the word 'Naga" is found.

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