Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 7
Unusual as it may seem but on a day when the Opposition Congress virtually send out a notice to the Governor indirectly calling for dismissal of the NPF government and imposition of Article 356 (Presidents Rule), citing anti-national crimes committed under the present regime, the Chief Minister went about doing his job, laying out a red carpet welcome for Congress led UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee. The former Finance Minister and number two in the Manmohan Singh led UPA Government was on a flying visit to rally support for his candidature for the forthcoming Presidential election slated for July 19.
Despite close personal equation between the NPF party and BJP backed candidate PA Sangma, who had in fact campaigned for the NPF during the last Lok Sabha elections, the Working Committee of the NPF decided to instead back the UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee. Although Sangma was close to the NPF leadership, in particular Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the decision to back the Congress candidate was no surprise given that the NPF is giving outside support to the UPA government at the Centre.
And in a virtual show of strength, the Rio cabinet and NPF legislators including the two MPs was in full force giving company to the lonely former Congressman. Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio said that the DAN government’s support to Pranab Mukherjee was “in the right perspective.”
Meanwhile, UPA’s Presidential candidate, Pranab Mukherjee has said that northeast region is an integral part of the country and that its development was important from the national point of view as well as international point of view.
Underscoring this importance, the former Union Finance Minister mentioned about India’s Look East Policy which would facilitate interaction with all the neighbouring and southeast countries through the NE region.
Pranab did not speak much stating that his interaction was neither in the capacity of a minister nor in the capacity of a political leader. “I’m a candidate (for presidential election),” he added. Pranab said that the questions relating to policies and programmes of the states and the union were to be addressed by the respective governments.
Pranab also said he was not even in a position to speak on behalf of the party as he has resigned from the Congress Working Committee. However, he said it was the collective responsibility of everyone to see that NE region comes to proper place.
Pranab who is on a 2-day NE tour seeking support for the July 19 Presidential election arrived in Dimapur on Saturday morning. He was addressing the press at Niathu Resort after having closed door meeting with DAN cabinet, NPF legislators and party workers.
Earlier, upon arrival at Dimapur Airport, Pranab also met Congress leaders led by CLP leader, Tokheho Yepthomi. He left for Itanagar in the afternoon.
