Naga People’s Front Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon on Monday affirmed that NPF, being a political party, will be compelled to set up candidates in the Eastern Nagaland area. He said this while speaking to reporters after the party’s Working Committee meeting here at NPF Central Office in Kohima.

“We respect the sentiments and aspirations of the ENPO area. We also acknowledge their effort. However, for us, we are a party that has a party set up in almost all the constituencies including the ENPO area. Therefore, being a political party, we will be compelled to set up candidates but definitely we will respect the sentiments of our people from the ENPO area,” said Kikon.

When asked about today’s meeting, Kikon said the Working Committee discussed on various issues related to the elections and also examined the candidate applicants from various constituencies. He maintained that there are many candidates who are seeking their party ticket and the committee is examining the whole process minutely, adding that the candidatures of each constituency will be thoroughly examined following which the party will take the final decision in a day or two.

He also stated that the party is yet to decide the number of seats it will be contesting, adding that the party will announce the list of candidates and release the party manifesto by 2 or 3 February.

Speaking on the party manifesto, Kikon said some of the party’s focus will be good governance, empowering youth and women, a corruption free government, innovative things for the youth, and restoration of law and order.

On a query on whether any of the former 21 NPF MLAs have approached NPF for tickets, he said: “In politics, anything and everything is possible. There is a probability also.”