Rio to be NFP star campaigner
Source: The Sangai Express / (Agencies)
Kohima, December 29 2011:
Nagaland chief minster Neiphiu Rio has said the Naga People's Front (NPF) is going to contest the January 28 Manipur polls and that he would campaign for party candidates.
After attending the Zhadima Village Youth & Sports Organization (ZVYSO) golden jubilee celebrations, Rio disclosed that that the NPF was going to contest about 10 seats and revealed that discussion was on with top party officials in Kohima.
Rio said NPF was a recognized political party which can contest elections from anywhere in the country.
Strongly dismissing the allegation put forth by the Nagaland Congress party that the NPF-led government was deducting funds to help its candidates in the Manipur elections, the chief minister said "it was a blatant lie" .
On the other hand, the NPF is reported to have so far received at least 54 applications from different assembly constituencies seeking party tickets for the Manipur polls.
The applicants include two Kukis and one Meitei from the Imphal valley.
The rest are Nagas from Manipur.
NPF president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu has fixed 11 am on December 30 for all aspiring NPF candidates to attend a function in Senapati, Manipur, to sign a pledge that they would extend their support to the selected party candidate in their respective constituencies.
The NPF supremo, later, confirmed to have directed the committee to immediately sit and finalize the list of prospective nominees and declare the same as soon as possible.
It was also learnt that the NPF, which is in poll fray for the first time, is going through a tough time in selecting the right candidate.
It is also facing tough opposition to its entry into Manipur from the majority Meities.