Zeliang takes pot shots at Rio
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, February 17 2018: Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang said the newly floated political party Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is totally bereft of programmes and policies for the people of Nagaland and that "its one-point manifesto for the forthcoming general elections seems to be TR Zeliang" .

"I am amused at the lack of vision the party has for the people and instead the leaders of the party seem to be fixated with me and my educational qualifications.

But what has educational qualifications got to do with politics ? I am not appearing for any NPSC examination," Zeliang said and lampooned the way the NDPP's Chief Ministerial candidate Neiphiu Rio had been touring the width and breadth of the State not mentioning any developmental activities he has in mind for the people and the State, but merely mentioning his, Zeliang's, qualifications.

Addressing the election kick off campaign for NPF Mokokchung Division today at the division office in Mokokchung town, the Chief Minister said he had contested general elections eight times and had won six times, and had all these times submitted the real certificate which showed him as having appeared BA examination.

On his parting ways with Rio in the first week of December last year, Zeliang said, "When we realised that Rio's intention was to freeze the NPF symbol "Cock" and take all the 36 MLAs to his party NDPP, we had to reconcile with Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu to save the NPF party.

But we were astonished when he renounced any association with the NDPP and returned to the NPF.

He tried very hard to sour relations between Dr Shurhozelie and me, but Dr Shurhozelie must have realised that he could never trust Rio and somehow our relations were strengthened.

We heaved a sigh of relief when Rio left NPF and went back to his NDPP which is yet to be recognized by the Election Commission of India" .

The Chief Minister went on to narrate the road projects he had brought to Mokokchung district which are approved by the Ministry and under tender process such as 2-laning of road from Gandhi Ashram, Chuchuyimlang (NH 2) to Pangsha International Trade Centre, a distance of 167 km; 2-laning of NH 702 D from Mokokchung to Tzurang Bridge, Nagaland Gate (78.5 km); 2-laning of Mokokchung-Zunheboto & Chazouba to Meluri via Thevophisu (Phek); 2-laning of Changtonya-Longleng SARDP-NE road (35 km) for which major alignment process by M/S RITES is on; 2-laning of Merangkong � Tamlu SARDP-NE road (100 km) for which NOCs have been received from village councils and excavation works completed for 30 km as per NH standard.

The Chief Minister went on to mention upgradation works of Yimchalu village road from Impur Junction connecting Mokokchung town (17 km) amounting to Rs 16.93 crore under CRF for which 55% of the works have been completed; upgradation of road from Alongchem to Mangkolemba via Impur, Mupongchuket Ongchem (19 km) at the cost of Rs 22.33 crore which has been sanctioned by Ministry of DoNER under NLCPR and work order issued in August 2017; and improvement of road from Mokokchung (NH 155/ NH 202) Junction to Aghunato (88 km) at the cost of Rs 158.31 crore under NEC for which 95% of the works have been completed.

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