Kohima, March 26: The outgoing RS MP from Nagaland, Apok Jamir has today congratulated TR Zeliang for being elected to the prestigious Upper House of Parliament.

The DAN's consensus candidate for the RS seat, Zeliang has won the lone RS seat from Nagaland today by defeating his Congress rival, Apok by a margin of 28 votes.

Wishing the new RS Member all the best in all his endeavors, Apok said Zeliang was a "capable and experienced" politician who could really take up the "cause of the people of Nagaland with New Delhi".

Unlike this time, Apok was elected to this prestigious Upper House of Parliament in 1998 without any contest.

He said his candidature this time was a political fight to "preserve the age-old tradition of secularism of the Congress party" even though the DAN coalition had an "overwhelming majority" in the House.

"And as a true Congress party worker, I have fielded myself knowing fully well the disadvantageous statistics," the outgoing RS MP told reporters here at Congress Bhavan after he was defeated to DAN candidate.

As a lone representative of the State in the RS, Apok said it had always been his "prior-most concern" that Naga political problem, which was a national problem, be solved at the earliest through peaceful and democratic means by involving "all sections of people." "I have raised this issue in all the highest possible forums in the country and allow me to say that my humble efforts have enlightened many leaders of the country to the ground realities and history of the Naga movement for self identity," he reminded.

Besides he explained the unique political scenario prevailing in the State especially after the signing of the two ceasefire agreements between the Government of India and the two factions of the NSCN in 1997 and 2001 respectively.

"I have tried my best to convey the point that the Naga political problem is not a mere law and order problem, nor is it an insurgent movement like those prevailing in many parts of the region and country, but that it is a political movement which started even before the Indian Independence and that it needs a political solution," the outgoing RS MP added.

He also informed as to how he had fought on the floor of Parliament for the increase of Nagaland Assembly seats from 60 to 80 and MP seats from one to two.

The outgoing RS MP also highlighted several achievements which he had initiated when he MP and further thanked all the legislators who had voted for him and also the people of Nagaland for reposing their faith and trust on him for the last six years.

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