Salhoutuonuo Kruse with Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and Neiphiu Rio during campaign programme in Kohima on February 23. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 23
Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today campaigned for Salhoutuonuo Kruse of NDPP candidate for 8th Western Angami Assembly Constituency for February 27 Nagaland polls.
Addressing the campaign programme at Capital Cultural Hall, Dr Sarma appealed the electorates to vote for Salhoutuonuo Kruse to make a history in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA).
Stating that NLA is yet to have women legislators so far, he said “We hope to see Kruse in the next assembly.”
Dr Sarma said that for the first time, the NDPP and BJP had fielded three women candidates for the polls. “This time, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has taken a historical decision that a time has come where it don’t only talk about gender equality, it talk not only women empowerment but in fact, we are going to give responsibility to our women legislator to lead the destiny of the state in the days to come,” Dr Sarma said.
Stating that history is going to be there on the day of counting on March 2, he said “ we are going to be all part of that history and I think that history will make Nagaland a much stronger state in the days to come.”
‘NDPP-BJP providing stable government in Nagaland’
Dr Sarma said that for the last five years, NDPP & BJP have been providing a stable government to the people of Nagaland under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio.
He said that the NDPP and BJP had laid a solid foundation for a better Nagaland in the last five years.
Stating that it had decided to contest in this election wherein NDPP was allotted with 40 seats and BJP 20 seats, Dr Sarma, who is also convenor of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) said “We are perfectly campaigning together as one entity.”
Stating that National BJP president JP Nadda and unit home minister Amit Shah had already came Nagaland for campaign, Dr Sarma said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also come down to Nagaland on February 24 to appeal the people of Nagaland to vote for NDPP and BJP once again.
Saying that NDPP is a very important alliance of NDA and NEDA, he said “so we all came here to extend our support and solidarity with NDPP.”
We need to bring a rapid development for the state of Nagaland, he said and endorsed the manifestos of BJP and NDPP.
Making a commitment to the people of Nagaland that BJP stands behind Rio, he announced that throughout the next five years, “BJP is going to extend full support to NDPP and chief ministerial candidate Rio.”
On Naga political problem
“In the last 5 years, we have spent a considerable time and energy for bringing a solution for the Naga political problem,” Dr Sarma said adding that it had covered a lot of ground.
I am sure that the next 5 years will be very important towards achieving that objective. We want to have solution which will respect the uniqueness of Naga, uniqueness of the history of Naga people and also recognize a strong friendship between the Naga people and the people living in rest of India,” he said.
He believed that in next five years under the leadership of Rio, will work further towards achieving the objective of bringing a permanent solution to the Naga political problem.
‘Make a massive victory to make a history’
In his speech, Rio said that lady candidates are very important as they are also equally capable.
Rio also appealed the electorates to vote for Salhoutuonuo Kruse.
On NDPP-BJP alliance, Rio said that the NDPP are privilege and always look upon the high command of BJP for their support and guidance for governance and also for developmental activities.
Rio said that NDPP is a friend of mighty BJP, and for that, “we should be proud that we have alliance and we will do what is possible in Nagaland and also in northeast.”
“Kohima as being the chief minister candidate district, I want to see all the NDPP and BJP candidates win the seat so that we will have a vibrant government,” Rio said.
We must not fail one another but make a massive victory to make a history and be a part of the policy making and be a part of the government, Rio said.
‘Nagaland deserves to see in its assembly a lady’
National BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said “We are at the time of making history. Nagaland deserves to see in its assembly a lady. It’s been long and women are an important part of the society and it will be good to see them in decision making.”
“What we want is a strong, stable and a historical mandate, which will be made even more beautiful if we elect our women candidates for this election,” he said.
We believe that this alliance (NDPP- BJP) has a positive agenda which is peace and development, he added.
Vote for the globe where there is NDPP candidate and where there is lotus, vote of BJP, he said.
NDPP secretary general Abu Metha said that NDPP is a party that is regional in character but has a national perspective and it has agendas, programmes and policies which have addressed global concept.
“We understand the fact that without national collaborations, without partnerships with other national political parties and without understanding national dynamics, we cannot bring progress and development to Nagaland, we cannot take the Naga people forward,” he said.
“Two chief ministers who came to campaign for our candidate (Salhoutuonuo Kruse) is going to make history and attract national attention,” Metha said and requested the electorates to cast their vote for her and be a part of the history and create history. In her address, Kruse sought the support of the voters, and assured to serve the community for all round development, if elected.
Kruse said that her vision is to work for equal infrastructural development and representation of urban and rural areas, to improve the quality of life of the people by enhancing good governance, peace and security.
She also announced to focus on youth and women empowerment, skill development and employment and to create a model constituency.
