MLA and Advisor for Transport and Technical Education, Temjenmenba and an entourage of NDPP party workers campaigned in all the units under 29 Jangpetkong Assembly Constituency for PDA consensus candidate Dr Chumben Murry for Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha seat.

A press release issued by Media Cell, 29 Jangpetkong AC, informed that during the separate meetings held with the different village councils, the Advisor “stressed that it was pertinent for the constituency as a whole to remain listed in the good book of the present government” and urged the public to keep their focus on the development of the constituency as their main priority.

Temjenmenba said that electing the PDA consensus candidate with an unprecedented margin would be the ‘certification’ of the constituency’s support towards the NDPP and PDA government and “empower him with more confidence while seeking developmental works for the constituency.”

While acknowledging that the constituency “was reeling under a state of underdevelopment and neglect, Advisor Temjenmenba strongly urged the voters not to be swayed by cheap propaganda about anti-Christian rhetoric.” He pointed out that even the last MLA from the constituency was elected from the BJP yet, there are no evidences of any adverse influence upon one’s religion or lifestyle, the press release stated.

NDPP Working President, N. Bendang Jamir, speaking at the campaign trail, strongly asserted that Dr. Chumben Murry, the PDA consensus candidate, is contesting the election as the NDPP candidate to safeguard the rights, and to carry forth the aspirations of the Naga people. Jamir maintained that the NDPP is a regional party and as a regional party which will never compromise with the rights of the Naga people.

He also mentioned that the Nagaland Government has categorically raised the issue with the Centre on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Free Movement Regime and border fencing issues. Bendang Jamir also said that because of the efforts of the NDPP led government, the Centre has exempted Nagaland from the CAA and also informed that the State Government has passed a resolution against the border fencing and abrogation of the FMR.

Stating that the Rio led government has never done anything against the interests of the Naga people, Bendang Jamir asserted that the NDPP will now and in the future stand for safeguarding the rights and aspirations of the Naga people.

The NDPP working president also berated the church leaders for using the pulpit to tacitly propagate to the people that voting for the PDA consensus candidate would be a voting for ‘anti-Christian party’. He strongly denounced propaganda and asserted that religion and politics should never mix.

Jamir maintained that the NDPP had to have an alliance with the BJP since it is ruling in the Centre and that a small state like Nagaland should always have good relations with the Party ruling the Central government.

Bendang Jamir pointed out that in India, where there is Hindu majority population, it was natural for some fringe elements in the Hindu community to be extremists and said that even when the Congress was ruling the country, incidents of violence against minorities had happened, notably the burning of a missionary and his family. Therefore, he questioned why the church or the opposition should bring up the issue of religious violence in mainland India during this election.

The NDPP working president asked the public to instead ponder on the Congress’ manifesto where it endorsed the civil union of the LGBTQAI+ community, which is totally against the Naga culture and the Christianity. Therefore, he asked the voters not to be swayed by propaganda spread to gain cheap political mileage but vote conscientiously for the PDA candidate for safeguarding the Naga people’s interest.

Also, the President of NDPP Mokokchung Region, Mangyangnungba pointed out that once Dr Murry is elected, he will sit in Delhi and would not be able to meet the whole Naga electorates, however, the local MLA, Advisor Temjenmenba, would still be voice of the constituency to the government.

Mangyangnungba cautioned the constituency that if it fails “to perform properly in this election, the benevolence of the government towards the constituency would be lessened and the people would miss out on major developmental activities.”

The Advisor’s entourage comprised of leaders from the NDPP central office, the NDPP Mokokchung Region, NDPP 29 Jangpetkong AC, Changki village council and other leaders. The two-day campaign trail covered all the villages (Khar, Chungliyimsen, Mongchen, Dibuia, Waromung, Merayim & Longnak, and Changki) and two administrative town (Alongkima and Mangolemba).

The different NDPP party units in 29 Jangpetkong AC assured the Advisor and his team that they would work tireless to ensure that the PDA consensus candidate win with a landslide majority.