Nagaland Govt's blessing on PDA candidate
Charenamei kicks off campaign
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 01 2009: Sitting MP in the Outer Constituency and candidate of the People's Democratic Alliance, Mani Charenamei kicked off his poll campaign with the blessings of the NPF led DAN Government of Nagaland at Senapati district headquarters today.

To express their solidarity with Mani a large number of people from neighbouring Nagaland attended the start of the poll campaign today.

Addressing the gathering at the ground of mini-stadium at Senapati district headquarters, political advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Z Lohe said that it is fitting that Mani has been nominated as a candidate of the PDA and added that the NPF led DAN Government in Nagaland would fully back his candidature.

Spelling out the agenda of the Government of Nagaland, Lohe said that it is endeavouring to unite all the Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit.

Political workers from Nagaland speaking in support of Mani Charenamei during the kick off function at Senapati Dist Hqs

With the coming of the DAN Government in Nagaland, a Political Affairs Committee with the active participation of Naga Hoho has been formed, Lohe informed and added that a number of meetings have been held.

The main objective is to form a common platform for the Nagas and to help in the peace process so that all can live together in peace.

To extend the NPF in the North East region such as Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, a committee has been formed, he informed the gathering.

From January this year, the NPF has held a series of meeting in the hill district headquarters of Manipur, he said and added that though some might interpret this in the wrong light, it is not so.

Without integrity no good can be achieved, Lohe declared.

Planning Minister of Nagaland, Galeeng who was also present said that a meeting of the regional parties in the North East has been convened by PA Sangma and the Chief Minister of Nagaland at Guwahati on April 11 .

The meeting will discuss how the regional parties can be strengthened as well as how to face the election.

Admitting that Mani Charenamei may have faced inconveniences as an independent MP, Galeeng said that if he is elected this time, he will not face the earlier inconveniences as he is now with the PDA, a regional party based in the hill districts of Manipur.

President of PDA, M Maringa said that the party as a regional party would concentrate on local issues and development.

The PDA will work for the welfare of the tribal people, said Maringa and added that it would exert pressure on the Government of India to speed up the peace process and resolve all issues amicably.

In his address, Mani Charenamei declared that the objectives of the PDA include working for the upliftment of the tribal people.

The travails in the hills can be resolved only when peace is realised.

Stating that the NSCN (IM) has entered into a peace process with the Government of India while the Kuki groups have also signed the SoO pact with the Government, Mani said that it is time for the other armed groups in Manipur to start a dialogue.

MLA Morung Makunga said that the eight Naga MLAs have decided to back Mani so that he can highlight the violence prevailing here as well as the dispute over territory in Parliament.

Taking the all round violence as well as daily killings in the State, Manipur is a fit case to be called a terrorist State, said Makunga.

Mani Charenamei voted for the Trust vote in Parliament after the UPA agreed to delete the phrase in the Common Minimum Programme which said that the boundaries of the North East States would not altered, declared the MLA.

Extending his gratitude to the NPF for supporting the PDA candidate, MLA Dr Khashim Ruivah said that the independent MLAs have decided to support the PDA Government as the candidates of National parties do not stand a chance.