NPF rebuts BJP claim, firm on contesting LS polls
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, December 07 2013 : A day after the BJP's bold statement was published in the media that the Naga People's Front (NPF) may not contest the ensuing parliamentary polls in outer Manipur constituency, the NPF state unit has unequivocally declared their firm stand to join the hustings in the state next year.

In a one-day political conference organized at Ukhrul town hall on Saturday, NPF Manipur unit president Soso Lorho said its party will 'definitely contest the upcoming parliamentary elections in state outer constituency,' while terming the recent report in the media as false.

The BJP, its ally for the third consecutive DAN government in Nagaland, had announced on December 5 in Ukhrul that NPF may not field candidate for Lok Sabha polls in outer Manipur constituency.

The statement was officially made by Nagaland unit saffron party chief Chuba Ao while categorically quoting NPF president Dr.Shurhozelie.

The party was apparently surprised with the report that it may back off from parliamentary hustings in the state if the BJP has stronger foothold in the run up to the polls.

"It's simply unthinkable.

NPF is firm to set up our candidate...want to let the people know this stand," asserted Lorho.

In today's NPF meet in Ukhrul, the party president and two participating legislators, Samuel Risom and Victor Nunglhung rejected the news as false and misleading the public.

Their counter statements, however, were never directed to the BJP that made the proclamation officially during the latter's political conference held at the same venue on Thursday.

NPF's tactful dealing with the report is understandable.

The party appears to be maintaining a tacit diplomacy not to jeopardize a political marriage that it enjoys with the BJP in its home turf.

Both the MLAs Victor Nunglhung and Samuel Risom echoed the party's stand on Lok Sabha polls.

The party also made it known to the public today that it's doing a serious homework on choosing the right candidate and would officially announce the name in the month of January next year.

In an apparent call to the public in the state, the Chandel legislator reasserted that "NPF is not only for Nagas but for entire tribal people'' while probably intending to rubbish the propaganda that the party is 'communal' .

Ukhrul MLA Samuel Risom also made a spirited speech and asserted that the party will not allow the people to be fooled and devote to work for restoring justice.

In today's political meet, the executives and workers of NPF areas unit, village units and frontal organisations of Ukhrul district were administered oath of secrecy by its president.

A host of party functionaries from across the state comprising former ministers A.Aza, Professor M.Horam and Morung Makunga, and former legislator O.Lorho also attended the conference.

NPF state working president Sword Vashum, whose name has been doing the round that he may emerge as the party's favoured candidate for the next year's hustings, also delivered a remark.

However, his speech has purportedly excluded any political statement but was eloquent on the need to foster unity among the deprived sections in the state.

A thin attendance of youths in today's conference did not go down well with the party working president's observation.

In recent time, there has been talk among certain Naga pressure groups that the NPF ticket may be given to aspirants from Tennymia community of Senapati district.

In this regard, Sword Vashum, who reportedly enjoyed the confidence of party central leadership Dr.Shurhozelie and chief minister Neiphiu Rio, tacitly made a terse mention on the issue.

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