NPF names 10 candidates for assembly polls
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 31 2022: The Naga People's Front (NPF) on Monday announced the names of its candidates who will contest the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election from 10 assembly constituencies.

In a release, NPF president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu confirmed allotment of NPF tickets to Langhu Paulhring Anal for Chandel AC, Dangsawa Korungthang Marine (Tengnoupal), Leishiyo Keishing (Phungyar), Ram Muivah (Ukhrul), Khashim Vashum (Chingai), Khoho Siile Anthony (Karong), Losii Dikho (Mao), M Francis Ngajokpa (Tadubi), Awangbow Newmai (Tamei) and Khangthuanang Panmei for Tamenglong AC.

A meeting of the working committee of NPF held on Monday at the Central Office, Kohima unanimously resolved to contest the ensuing Manipur Legislative Assembly Election in 10 assembly constituencies.

The meeting deliberated at length the recommendations submitted to the central NPF office by the ticket selection committee with regard to the upcoming Assembly election, it mentioned.

NPF further conveyed that the working committee is of the considered opinion that at the crucial juncture, there is a necessity for regional political parties to come together in order to actively address the issues confronting people of the region.

Therefore, the working committee has resolved to extend invitation to Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio along with his MLAs to come together in the larger interest of the people.

Addressing a press confer ence at the NPF central office in Kohima, Achumbemo Kikon, Secretary-General NPF, informed that the candidates were shortlisted by the party's Working Committee (WC) after recommendations were submitted by the Ticket Selection Committee.

The 10 intending candidates were shortlisted out of 40 applicants, the party tickets for which will be handed on February 2 at the party office.

He said that out of 11 constituencies in the "Naga-dominated" areas of Manipur, covering the districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, and Tamenglong, the NPF will be not be contesting for the Nungba AC under Tamenglong district, as there are no strong contenders from the party to contest for the seat.

Out of the 11 constituencies, 3 each fall under the districts of Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel, while two constituencies fall under Chandel district.

The 10 candidates who will contest in the Assembly polls include party's four sitting MLAs - Leishiyo Keishing, Khashim Vashum, Losii Dikho and Awangbow Newmai.

Besides the 11 constituen cies, he said that the party has its enrolment and influence in 25 constituencies with sizeable number of Naga voters and non-Naga supporters.

However, Kikon said the party will be contesting only in the Naga-dominated areas as its focus is on bringing lasting solution to the Naga political issue and peace in the Northeast region.

At present, the NPF in Manipur occupies four seats in the state legislative Assembly with two MLAs in the state cabinet as part of chief minister N Biren Singh's BJP led coalition government.

While there is no "open alliance" for the forthcoming election, Kikon hinted for a post-poll alliance with the BJP as there is a "certain level of understanding" between the two parties, which will likely continue depending on the election results.

Although the NPF has "no enmity" with any political parties in Manipur, he said their understanding is with the BJP.

As for the Congress party, he said that the party's policies and attitude towards people in the Manipur hills is "not friendly" .

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