Expansion of NPF beyond Nagaland A Naga unification movement
- Part 2 -

M Gairiangmei *

NPF candidates campaigning in Manipur's Hill districts in January 2012

At this backdrop, the Nagas in Manipur have been longing for a political party who can work and fulfill their political aspirations. Thus, the launching of the NPF's units in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh was heartily welcome by all particularly from Southern Nagas considering it as a mark of heralding a new era. Strong objections from certain quarters pouring in, but Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio formally launched the NPF's unit in Manipur at Senapati on May 28, 2011.

Thousands of Nagas from the four hills districts of Manipur: Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenlong and Chandel assemble at the function at Senapati. Speaking at the formal launching program of the NPF's Manipur unit, Rio reiterated that all contiguous Naga inhabited areas should be brought under a single administrative unit.

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio addressed four election rallies in Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati districts of Manipur. He urged the Nagas to support the NPF candidates for Naga unity and also he termed "Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh anti-Naga". Rio described NPF's participating into election in Manipur as a "new beginning in the history of the Nagas"

NPF had been appointed ten executive members for Kuki inhabited areas of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur district in Manipur. The press release signed by NPF Central HQ Secretary, Thangsat Thangeo said that Nagas and Kukis should "live and co-exist harmoniously". It also stated that the party has "partly fulfilled" the vision of the "Naga Club" by trying to bring together the people of all Naga inhabited areas to work for a common cause.

Making its maiden entry into 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly Elections, die NPF had fielded 12 candidates in Naga-dominated hill assembly constituencies. The NPF candidates are the following:
1. Paul Muinao- 45th -Chingai A/C
2. Dr. Alexander Pao-47th Karong A/C
3. L. Dikho- 48th Mao A/C
4. K. Raina - 49th Tadubi A/C
5. Athuan Abonmai-52thTamei A/C
6. Samual Jendai- 53rd Tamenglong A/C
7. G. Gaingam- 54th Nungba A/C
8. S.T.Nunglung Victor-41 st Chandel A/C
9. K.H. David Charanga-42nd Tengnoupal A/C
10. Honreikhui Kashung-43rd Phungyar A/C
11. Samuel Risom- 44th Ukhrul A/C
12. Sehpu Haokip- 57th Henglep A/C.

Sehpu Haokip, a Kuki tribal was the only non-Naga in the list. Haokip's candidature was a way of letting bygones be bygones and working for tribal unity. NPF President Dr. Shiirhozelie Liezietsu said the Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis are 'good neighbours since time immemorial and will continue to live together till the end of the world,' he claimed. Governments and politicians will come and go but the relation will continue so long as the world exists.

Out of 12 NPF candidates contested in the 10th Manipur Assembly elections, four of them won. The four successful candidates are Dikho, Alexander Pou, Nunghlung Victor and Samuel Risom in their assembly constituencies of Mao, Karong, Chandel and Ukhrul respectively. The NPF feels contented with the four seats it bagged in the Manipur assembly elections. The Nagaland Pradesh Congress, in a statement said it was a "shame" for NPF to "boast of their so-called achievement" by winning only four seats out of 12 candidates contested in the 10th Manipur Assembly elections.

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio's vigorous campaign for NPF in Manipur consolidated the non-Naga voters and his efforts have unintentionally made Mr. Ibobi appear the one person who can effectively block the demand for Naga integration movement. The NPF candidates contesting in the Manipur Assembly elections sent shockwaves across Manipur to unite, and awakened the sense of fear in the people's mind; the sense of losing their land (districts inhabited by Nagas) to Nagaland and it is posing a great threat to territorial integrity of Manipur.

NPF entering was one of the reasons why the Congress did very well in all the valley constituencies. The NPF the campaigners could not make awareness or convince voters the NPF's stand for. some of the NPF supporters using muscle powers, violence and threats that created the ugly atmosphere in many constituencies, as a result of that the voters go against the NPF party. NPF leaders did not choose the right candidate.

Gullible voters were easily influenced by money power. Money plays a very important role in elections but the NPF candidates are too poor to compete with the Congress leaders who are well settled and took the position in well advance. And most importantly, the NPF established its party units in Manipur was very late and by the time the NPF was prepared to announce the names its candidates, the election process in Manipur was well underway and other candidates and parties had the advantage of an early start.

NPF by winning 4 seats in the 10th Manipur Assembly election became the fourth largest political party in the Manipur Legislative Assembly behind three parties namely Indian National Congress, Trinamool Congress and Manipur State Congress Party, NPF is the second largest regional political party in the Manipur Assembly.

NPF's candidates contested in the 10th Manipur Assembly election 2012 was a testing ground to assess the payoffs involved in trying to mobilise the Naga votes beyond Nagaland state, with Arunachal Pradesh being the NPF's next electoral target.

The main aim of NPF is to bring about all the Naga people "scattered in Northeast region" under a single administrative roof through electoral politics. The NPF is also interested to become a true regional player in the northeast states of India. The people of Southern Nagas had extended support to the NPF and got elected four MLAs to the Manipur State Assembly. The Naga people have a great expectation from these legislators.

Concluded...