National People’s Party (NPP) held a ‘Mega Party Rally’ at Seyochung Town, Kiphire district on Saturday for C. Kipili Sangtam, its candidate for 59th Seyochung-Sitimi Assembly Constituency for the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

In his address Kipili stated that the interest of the community and the public was his priority unlike his opponent V. Kashiho Sangtam, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, who only sees his family as a priority, alleging that the incumbent MLA had awarded ‘many funds’ to his family members.

C. Kipili Sangtam, NPP candidate for 59th Seyochung-Sitimi.

The NPP candidate said that all religions should be equally respected, but the BJP doesn’t respect other religions, which he said was against humanity and the India’s Constitution. He therefore urged the public to be wise and elect the right leader.

“As a Christian once we promise anything is life we should not go against it,” said Kipili adding that had Kashiho been a good and honest leader he would not have contested this election but since there has not been any development and progress during the MLA’s tenure, he is standing for the people and public irrespective of any community, religion or colour.

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Kipili said that he wants to make the 59th A/C the strongest NNP hold in the state for which he needs the support of the people and their willingness to stand by the party.

He also said that it is not possible for all unemployed youths to get government jobs, but he pledged that the youth would benefit the most from various schemes and projects if he is elected.

Warning the young people not to go backward but instead look forward, Kipili mentioned a conversation he had with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio where the NPP candidate told the latter that he will not accept any backward fund as the Eastern Naga people are equally intelligent and capable as the other tribes of Nagaland.

Describing himself as a man of peace, a leader who encourages peace of all people overground and underground equally, Kipili assured his supporters that he will not be a puppet. What is the need of a leader who cannot voice for his people or stand for his people, he asked.

Further, he encouraged the public not to take politics lightly but to be serious and dedicated towards electing the right leader.

Dr. Andrew Ahoto, NPP president, Nagaland state at Seyochung Town, Kiphire on 18 February 2023.

Dr. Andrew Ahoto, NPP president, Nagaland in his speech, maintained that so far in the Northeastern region, Meghalaya has the best development all because of NPP National President Conrad Sangma.

He advised the people to be watchful of opponent political parties and to be wise and elect leaders who are selfless and committed to work for the welfare of the public.

NPP sees Kipili as a senior politician, therefore he will be on a good ground when the government is formed, he said.

After the rally, Andrew Ahoto told Nagaland Tribune that NPP is a party for the people as its name suggests.

“We are not here for the progress, prosperity and benefit of an individual but for collective good of all the Nagas. Our party is also firm to bring about a Peaceful Naga solution, bring development in Health, Education and skills,” Ahoto said.

National People’s Party’s (NPP) ‘Mega Party Rally’ at Seyochung Town, Kiphire district on 18 February 2023.

Commenting on Clean Election, Ahoto stated that he believes everyone in the society have a big role to play and that individuals, the church, political parties, common people, young and old, bureaucrats, technocrats and villagers all have a role to play to accomplish this mission.

He wished that each Naga should be a good example of the big tag line of the Nagas ‘Nagaland for Christ’.

“I do not know where we have gone wrong on the tag line but we cannot say that only political parties are at the wrong end as the church and the society also have a big role in it,” he stated.

“But I and my party keenly appreciate the initiative of the NBCC for clean election,” added NPP president of the state.

Kipili Sangtam speaking to Nagaland Tribune said that he wants to create funds for unemployed youth to tackle unemployment issue so that they invest their time in refining their skills and self-development.

When asked about how he and his party plan to tackle corruption, Sangtam said that corruption is of different levels blaming political leaders for the loop in the system. He assured that he will try to get rid of all corruption that is in his capacity.