NERPF - an alliance against Cong: PA Sangma
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Guwahati, March 26 2014: Former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma said North East Regional Parties Front (NERPF), a conglomerate of ten political parties of the North East region is 'an alliance against the Congress' formed to thwart the dirty policies of the Congress party.

Talking to Newmai News Network this evening over phone, P.A.Sangma said he has re-joined the national politics launching his election canvassing based on the manifesto or resolutions of the NERPF.

Price rise of essential commodities, corruption and the ever falling value of the rupee have prompted him to join the national politics again.

Another important factor that has compelled him to re-join the national politcs has been the issues confronting the North East region.

P.A.Sangma is the president of National People's Party (NPP) formed in Manipur years back.

NPP is also one of the members of the NERPF.

"At the national scene there is disturbing development such as corruption, unabated price rise of essential commodities and the issues confronting the North East region have pained me," stated the seasoned politician.

P.A.Sangma is contesting from Tura Lok Sabha seat where his daughter Agatha Sangma is the incumbent.

The former Lok Sabha speaker is facing against Congress candidate Daryly William Momin.

It is worth mentioning here that Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Naga People's Front (NPF), United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People's Democratic Party of Meghalaya (HSPDPM), the Manipur People's Party (MPP), Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), Manipur Democratic People's Front (MDPF), Mizo National Front (MNF), People's Party of Arunachal (PPA)and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) are the ten political parties that have formed the NERPF on October 20 last year in Guwahati.

Safeguarding of cultural, social, political and economic rights of the people of the region and to continuously strive to protect the distinctive identifies of the ethnic tribes and of all the people of the region are some of the objectives of the NERPF.

Other important resolutions adopted on October 20 are that all illegal migrants from Northeast region be deported, reservation of 80 per cent jobs for locals in government and private sectors, implementation of the look east policy, rebuilding a portion of the historic Stillwell road, a rethink on AFSPA and similar issues reflecting the local sentiments.

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio is the convenor of the front while former Assam chief minister and leader of AGP Prafulla Mahanta is the chief advisor.

It is worth noting here that in January this year, President of India Pranab Mukherjee was apprised by the North East Regional Parties Front (NERPF) to address the political problems of the region and bring about permanent solution to the decades old political problems that have resulted in insurgencies.

The NERPF delegation had also apprised the same to Union Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde and BJP president Rajnath Singh.

A memorandum consisting of a 17 points resolution was submitted to the President, the Union Home Minister and the BJP president.

The Convenor of the NERPF highlighted the contents of the resolutions and urged upon the Government of India to seriously address the issues in the greater interest of the country and the people of the north eastern region in particular.

Some of the key issues that were brought to the notice of the Central Government included the continuous influx of illegal immigrants into the region and lamented the lack of effective steps on the part of the Government of India.

The NERPF also called for the immediate cancellation land swap deal by the Central Government with Bangladesh and the repeal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

The front had expressed concern on Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh and objected to the random manner in which massive dams are being constructed in the upper reaches of the Bramaputra in China which has the potential to adversely impact the entire region in multiple ways including possibility of natural disasters.

Serious concern on the safety and security of the north eastern people especially students, professionals and working women in the urban cities especially in the national capital region were brought to the notice of the Centre.

The NERPF had also urged the Central leaders to address the political problems of the North East region and bring about permanent solution to the decades old political problems that have resulted in insurgencies.

The NERPF delegation also urged New Delhi to take the people of the region into confidence and offered all cooperation to play the role of facilitators to bring about peace in the region.

Comment