NPF undecided on alliance with BJP
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 14 2022: Even though the Naga People's Front (NPF) and BJP are allies at present, the former has not yet taken any decision whether it would continue the alliance or not.

Speaking to media persons this morning, NPF Manipur State unit president Awangbow Newmai claimed that NPF and BJP share a very warm relationship at present and the two parties may prolong their alliance.

However, no pre-poll alliance has been officially sealed nor is there any restriction on forging alliances with other political parties, Awangbow Newmai asserted.

He said that NPF would stand firm on its principle and it is also open to alliances with like minded parties provided the alliance is based on the common agenda of public welfare and development.

Informing that NPF is fully prepared for the forthcoming State Assembly election, Awangbow said that the party has already constituted and activated its election committee.

Ex-MLA Samuel Risom is the chairman of the NPF election committee.

So far, 40 intending candidates have submitted applications for the party tickets, Awangbow said.

He informed that NPF has been working to field its candidates in 15 Assembly segments out of the total 60 seats.

NPF undecided on alliance with BJP

Appealing to all the people of Manipur to ensure that the election is held peacefully, Awangbow Newmai said that voters should cast their votes for the political parties/candidates of their choice.

Saying that NPF would support the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process as well as all other issues which need political solution, the NPF Manipur unit president announced that his party would fight the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election on the plank of peace and prosperity.

Elaborating on the requirement of a peaceful atmosphere for bringing development, Awangbow said that the new Barak and Makru bridges whose foundation stones were laid at the initial days of the incumbent Government have been completed, contrary to the general belief that construction of these bridges would take 5 to 10 years.

NPF would take the responsibility of ensuring that the next Government too is stable and completes its full term, he asserted.

The party would invest maximum efforts to remove communal distrust and bring mutual trust at individual, community and societal levels, he continued.

Warning that breakdown or termination of the Indo-Naga peace process before arriving at a concrete solution would result in untold misery and anarchy, Awangbow expressed keen desire to bring a peaceful solution to the political dialogue.

It is not only the Nagas who would suffer untold misery in case the peace process breaks down without any solution, all the neighbouring communities would also be affected equally, he said.

He then urged both the negotiating parties to work out a solution which is acceptable to the masses.

Even if the NPF does not field any candidate in the Assembly segments of Imphal, the party may field its candidates in some Assembly segments of Manipur valley, he hinted.

There are some political parties with which NPF can work together.

These parties may support NPF candidates under an arrangement of 'alliance in-principle' .

There are also possibilities of some individuals who earlier sought nomination as candidates from other political parties, worked for different parties and ex-MLAs coming into the fold of NPF, Awangbow claimed.

Welcoming the election schedule announced by the Election Commission of India for five States including Manipur, Awangbow noted that Manipur would go to the first phase of polls on February 27 which happens to be Sunday but Sunday is a day of prayer for the Christian community.

If viewed from the perspective of India being a secular country which protects all religions and sects, the election schedule harms the spirit of secularism, he remarked.

As for NPF, it would like to change the date of polling scheduled on Sunday to another day, he added.