NPF kick-starts poll campaign with good lashings of Ibobi
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Senapati, March 26 2014: Lashing out at the Congress-led Manipur Government for allegedly failing to understand the sentiments of various ethnic communities in the State, Naga People's Front (NPF) kick-started its election campaign for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency in Senapati district headquarters today.

Soso Lorho is NPF candidate for Manipur Outer seat.

The election campaign was attended by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Central NPF president Dr.Shorhozelie Liezietsu, other senior ministers and MLAs of the party and leaders of Naga frontal organisations of Manipur.

Early negotiated settlement of Indo-Naga political issue, addressing the issues confronting the various ethnic communities of Manipur and economic development in the Outer parliamentary constituency of Manipur are some of the prime issues that were dwelt in today's event.

NPF president Dr Shorhozeli

Addressing the crowd, Neiphiu Rio accused the Ibobi Singh led Congress Government of Manipur of allegedly propagating the 'divide and Rule' policy and thus driving a wedge between the numerous communities in the state for selfish and narrow purposes.

In a snide remark, he congratulated Ibobi Singh on his successive victories in the state elections and said that Ibobi was a successful Chief Minister in carrying out the wishes of the Congress' high command but that he had forgotten his people.

He promised that the NPF leaders if elected would serve the people at the grass root level and thus be in touch with their problems and gain the know-how on how to solve them.

Rio also assured that the NPF would safeguard the rights of all ethnic groups in Manipur if elected as they have an excellent record in integrating all communities in the state of Nagaland where the rights and identity of all were protected and looked after.

He dwelt upon the Naga political issue while terming it as the mother of all problems in the North East and the solution of which would bring about a lasting change across all spheres of life in the region.

Rio promised that if elected NPF would fight for the rights of the Nagas in Parliament and raise their voice against the growing discrimination of North Easterners across India.

He asked the public to believe that better days are ahead of them and therefore they should all join hands together, raise their voices and do the right thing in voting for NPF for they alone would carry the Naga problems to be heard in the halls of Parliament.

He asked for a chance from the voters for himself and Soso Lorho by electing them to Parliament.

He asked the people to vote for the NPF and in doing so they would be voting for their conscience for development, for peace and thus for the entire North East.

Neiphiu Rio also spoke extensively on the aims and objectives of North-East Regional Political Front (NERPF).

He said that NERPF had passed seventeen resolutions which dealt with the deficit in development and infrastructure and how they have been actively pursuing the fulfilment of the resolutions.

"In this modern age of globalization and the global village we must shed our feelings of ethnicity and embrace togetherness to move ahead," Rio stated.

Other prominent among the numerous dignitaries present on the occasion included Dr.Shiirhozelie Liezietsu, president of Central NPF; TR.

Zeliang, Minister, Nagaland; S.T.Victor Nunghlung (NPF MLA from Chandel, Manipur); L.Dikho (NPF MLA from Mao, Manipur); Alexander Pao (NPF MLA from Karong, Manipur); Samuel Risom (NPF MLA from Ukhrul, Manipur) and Merentoshi Jamir, Minister, Nagaland.

A host of representatives from United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Peoples Organisation (NPO), NPMHR, NWU, ANSAM, SDWA, SDSA, various tribal Hohos and other frontal organisations were also among the large crowd from different ethnic backgrounds.

Earlier, NPF central president Dr.Shorhozelie Liezietsu unfurled the party flag and presented the NPF candidate Soso Lorho to the general public assembled.

He also released the election manifesto of the NPF for the parliamentary election 2014, stating that this is the first time the NPF is contesting in a Parliamentary election in Manipur.

He also exhorted the rank and file of NPF assembled to go back to their villages and the people and tell them about the ideals of the party and its principles.