DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 5 (MExN): Veteran politician, two time Member of Parliament and seven times MLA, Chingwang Konyak today declared that the people of the ENPO areas want Rio as the Chief Minister of the state. This was stated in a press note issued by Abu Metha, Press Secretary to the NPF.
Addressing an NPF rally at Phek town and sharing the dais with senior NPF leaders including the Chief Minister and NPF President Dr. Shürhozelie, Konyak said that the initiatives of Rio in development of the backward areas, women development and youth empowerment were some the several initiatives that were being welcomed by the people of his area. He also appreciated the role of the Chief Minister and the state government in 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 though these efforts which are being implemented by Rio, Chingwang said.
On the status of the Congress party, the senior former Congress leader said that the Congress in Nagaland is divided. In five years, the Congress has had four party presidents, namely Hokheto, KV Pusa, I. IMkong and SI jamir, he said, adding that even the post of leader of opposition has changed hands three times in five years through I. Imkong, Chingwang Konyak and Tokheho. This has left me frustrated as the party is not united and moreover my people are with Rio and therefore I have to be with my people, the veteran leader stated.
Chingwang recalled how crores and lakhs of rupees were spent on Congress organisational elections with Congress leaders moving from place to place dividing. He recalled how he had helped build up the Congress party in Nagaland and that he had spent 44 years in the political arena.
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. “NPF will form the next government under the leadership of Rio, he predicted.
He also recalled his meeting with the Prime Minister, when he was in Congress, “the prime Minister expressed his happiness and satisfaction with the performance of the Rio government”.
