Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday addressed the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) campaign rally for the party candidate for 18th Chozuba AC, Kudecho Khamo, at Local Ground, Chozuba Town in Phek district.
In his speech he said this year marks his 49th years in politics and expressed gratitude to God and the peoples support all these years, while he also recalled his association with former Chief Minister Lt Vamuzo whom he gave unstinted support during his tenure from 19 June 1990 till 2 April 1992.
He also highlighted the period when in 1998 election the NPC boycotted the general election and the Congress party formed the government while the NPC party and its symbol cock were de-recognised, yet NPF was recognised in 2003 and subsequently he became the chief minister.
He reiterated the importance of the regional party for the Naga people and also shared that, other than the regional party, no chief ministers have emerged from the Tenyimia community.
Rio also maintained that tickets were distributed according to the seat sharing that NDPP and BJP alliance had made and in which Eight MLAs of the NDPP were not given the ticket and he asserted that the tickets were issued based on the grassroots level and the recommendation of the constituency and not otherwise.
In this regard he urged that party workers to work hard and the electorates to vote for the NDPP candidate Kudecho Khamo and not fail him this time, but to win and be in the ruling government for the development and upliftment of the 18th Chozuba AC which is a prominent constituency.
Underlining that the Naga Political issue was the top priority of the 60 MLAs during the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) and he all the members had come together as opposition-less government – United Democratic Alliance (UDA), he however owing to differences of the various political groups, it could not materialise solution before election as the poll date was announce and subsequently the NSCN and the WC-NNPGs also come together for talks for early resolution of the Naga political issue.
He also relayed to the participants of the rally what the Centre had shared with the government as facilitator of the Naga talks that post-solution there will be an addition of the 20 more seats in NLA and addition of two more parliamentary seat making it to three – Eastern Nagas, Central Nagaland and Tenyimia in Lok Sabha visa-vis Rajya Sabha.
“To resolve the Naga Political issue will be the core issue of the new government in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly”, said Rio adding that the NDPP and BJP will get majority and form the government while he also clarified that other then the NDPP and BJP there is no any other alliance with any political party.
Towards this, he told the people that the choice is to either be in ruling or in the opposition and told the people not to be confused or be misled by other parties and candidates propagandas.
Pointing lapses in the 2001 census which the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) had objected for use as record for delimitation he also stated that his government from 2003 had also resolved not to use the same and subsequently even in 2011 census, Rio said the 14th NLA will be taking crucial decisions for the Naga people.
He maintained that delimitation is also impending to the state and stated that this time round it should be evenly done doing justice for all constituencies unlike the previous one and added that Tenyimia should exhibit sincerity and integrity by delivering justice to all.
The chief minister also expressed concern over the census, electoral rolls, and household bogus datas and asserted that all this should be properly reviewed and done with transparency for posterity.
Dwelling on ENPO demand for Frontier Nagaland, despite the 60 members unanimously resolving 6 times and even passed resolution in the NLA for integration of Naga contagious areas, he reiterated that the ENPO raised the issue in 2010 and the state government had accordingly formed a committee to study and sent recommendations in 2011 June to the central government. He informed that the 14th NLA will also be taking decisions in the house for the same.
Meanwhile he pointed out the Urban Local Body (ULB) Election with women reservations will also be conducted from the tenure of the new state government, he said the citizens should follow the laws- to levied tax for the own town management and provide Women reservation adding that, the delay for so long had even been a stumbling block for the ministry’s funding and development in the state.
The chief minister stated that Women in the state are excelling at par and even ahead of its counterpart-men and he reiterated the commitment of the NDPP party for women empowerment which even this election had given two party tickets to women and if the win and come to the NLA will make record in the history of the state.
He also highlighted that the NDPP in 2018 election had face election with its slogan ‘Change is coming’ and had delivered development in road connectivity also other sectors across the state while he also encouraged the people of the state to avail the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) and Chief Minister Microfinance Initiative (CMMI) scheme.
Acknowledging that BJP, respecting the Nagas and as a Christian state does want to hurt the sentiment of the people had entered into alliance with the NDPP he stated that it is for partnership with regional party of the Nagas for the development in the state and he also added that India is now the fasting growing economy in the world.
Further he said NDPP is people’s party and needs people’s participation and in this regard appeals to electorates of 18th Chozuba AC to elect NDPP candidate Kudecho Khamo for the development of Chozuba Assembly Constituency.
Highlights from the campaign of MR. KUDECHO KHAMO 18 CHOZUBA A/C for the upcoming Nagaland Assembly Elections 2023.
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NAGALAND- TOWARDS A STATE OF EXCELLENCE
.#ndpp #towardsexcellence #ndpp2023 #NagalandTowardsAStateOfExcellence pic.twitter.com/RlrGEerMWF— NDPP (@NDPPofficial) February 17, 2023
Rio undisputed leader- Kronu
Meanwhile, Minister Neiba Kronu and Star Campaigner in his speech reiterated that NLA had pursuit the Naga Political Issue with all seriousness and was expecting for solution however, the poll was announced and the state is made to face election and said the new government will continue to pursue the same.
Kronu said “There’s no question of leadership and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is the ‘undisputed leader’ in the state,” stating that the NDPP is now a strong political party and the alliance with BJP will get absolute majority and is not a rumour but truth.
He called upon the electorates of the 18th Chozuba AC to elect the NDPP Candidate Kudecho Khamo who will be in the ruling government while he stressed that the constituency needs development.
Kudecho Khamo, NDPP official candidate in his speech acknowledged chief minister Neiphiu Rio for having concern to the Assembly Constituency and granting development projects over the past years while he also expressed gratitude for allotting the ticket to him.
He assured to work to strengthen the leadership of Rio while stating that a prominent constituency- Chozuba had for so long been deprived of development, and he called upon the electorates that the constituency need to be in government to bring development, change and development with new vision.
Khamo shares his visions and plans to work for the empowerment of youth be it employment in various sectors, sports, entrepreneurship and he exuded hope that this election will be historic to transcend a new dawn for the constituency.
The programme was chaired by Nuzota Swuro, Ex MLA and working president NDPP, a folk tune was presented by Chakhesang Cultural Research Centre, Chetheba and prayers were offered by Vekusa Lohe, Pastor Chozuba Town Baptist Church and Rev Vesavo Shijoh, Pastor Chozuba Village Baptist Church.
