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| Independent candidate for Dimapur II Assembly constituency Savi Liegis speaks at the dedication and prayer service held at his residence in Dimapur on Monday. Picture by UB Photos |
Kohima, Feb. 5: Former leader of the Congress Legislature Party Ching- wang Konyak today exposed a leadership crisis in the Congress at an NPF rally at Phek.
Today, veteran Congress leader and former PCC president K.V. Pusa filed his nomination. Pusa, contesting from Southern Angami-II, said the Congress’s priority is the ongoing Naga peace process, job avenues for educated Naga youths, peace and all-round development and to address the 6th Revised of Pay for forced retirees.
Konyak who had recently resigned from the Congress criticised the manner and style of functioning of the party. He said there is still a leadership crisis in the Congress which is the reason for the party’s decline in the state.
He said there is no possibility for the Congress to come to power and urged the people to vote for the NPF. Konyak today declared that the people of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) areas want Neiphiu Rio as the chief minister of the state.
He said the initiatives of Rio in development of the backward areas, women’s development and youth empowerment were some the several steps that were praised by the people of his area.
He also appreciated the role of the chief minister and the state government for taking up policies and programmes that are aimed at promoting and preserving the culture and heritage of the Naga people especially in the backward areas.
“The world is coming to appreciate and recognise the Nagas through these efforts which are being implemented by Rio,” Konyak said.
On the status of the Congress, the senior former leader said the party in Nagaland is a divided house. “In five years, the Congress has had four party presidents — Hokheto Sumi, K.V. Pusa, I. Imkong and S.I. Jamir,” he said, adding that “even the post of the leader of Opposition has changed hands three times in five years. This has left me frustrated as the party is not united and moreover my people are with Rio. Therefore, I have to be with my people,” the veteran leader said.
Konyak recalled how crores and lakhs of rupees were spent on the Congress’s organisational elections.
He assured the gathering that the “Congress will not win the forthcoming elections as the people want Rio’s leadership,” adding that maximum number of seats in ENPO areas will be won by the NPF.
“The NPF will form the next government under the leadership of Rio,” he said. He also recalled his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when he was in the Congress. “The Prime Minister had expressed his happiness and satisfaction with the performance of the Rio government,” he said.
Today’s rally was attended by Rio, NPF president Shurhozelie Liezietsu and a host of top leaders.
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