NPF leader, Azo Nienu during a poll campaign at Phuba village under 47 Karong A/C, Senapati district, Manipur on February 22.
NPF steps up poll campaign in Manipur hill districts
Ashikho Pfuzhe
Dimapur | February 23
With barely a week left for the first phase of the Manipur Assembly polls, the regional Naga People’s Front (NPF) has stepped up its campaigns in the Naga dominated hill districts in a last-ditch effort to woo voters.
Scores of NPF veteran leaders and legislators are reportedly walking the extra mile to make a decisive dent in the regional party’s electoral fortunes in the neighbouring state.
In a bid to assess the NPF’s party position in the Naga dominated districts in Manipur, The Morung Express caught up with former minister and veteran NPF leader, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, who is also the team leader of the NPF’s campaign in Senapati district.
Below are the excerpts of the interview:
What is your overall assessment of the prospects of the 10 NPF candidates in the Manipur Assembly polls? Can the party improve its tally this election?
Azo: In my view, there has been a major rise in the growth of the NPF party in Manipur and the party has doubled in size since the last general election where we won 4 seats. However, this time we are hoping to secure 6- 7 seats in the assembly elections or even more.
Is the NPF campaign this time in Manipur more intensified than the last assembly election?
Azo: Yes one hundred percent more intensified this time. It seems NPF has reached every nook and corner of Naga inhabited areas
As in-charge of NPF campaign in Senapati district, considered a bastion of the regional party in the hill districts, do you think your party can win all three seats in the district?
Azo: Yes, with much positivity, we are looking forward to win all the three seats.
What is the main polls plank/election manifesto of the NPF?
Azo: NPF was and still is the only political party which focuses on the Naga cause and voices out for their rights and therefore, if the Nagas of Manipur believe in standing up for their rights, they must all come together and vote for NPF party.
In your recent campaign in Karong A/C, you commented about the ‘double standard approach’ of the BJP and that ‘They want NPF in Manipur but want to keep their distance in Nagaland.’ Can you elaborate further as in Nagaland too; the NPF has formed an opposition-less government along with NDPP and BJP?
Azo: Yes, in fact they are running a coalition government with the NPF in Manipur and in their weakest hours the NPF party has always remained loyal and never wavered nor betrayed them. On the contrary, here in Nagaland, the same NPF party has been treated as an unwanted guest and the BJP seems unhappy about the opposition-less Government. In other words if they oppose us here in Nagaland they should maintain the same yardstick in Manipur as well.
As per your campaign speech, you also said the NPF party in Manipur will emerge as ‘kingmaker.’ If so in the case of a hung verdict, what is your take on whether the NPF will support the BJP or INC?
Azo: Yes, since no political party is expected to maintain power with an absolute majority, NPF party will definitely be the Kingmaker in Manipur election assembly 2022. But to support either of the two parties i.e. BJP or INC will solely be decided by the Party after the results.
Some political observers are of the view that the NPF’s performance in the Manipur assembly election would be a litmus test for the regional party’s electoral battle in the 2023 Nagaland assembly election. Do you think the NPF’s poll results in Manipur would have bearings in the next Nagaland assembly polls?
Azo: Yes, it will surely have either a negative or a positive impact in the 2023 general election here in Nagaland.
Against the backdrop of alleged involvement of Naga national political groups in the election process in the Naga hill districts, do you foresee a free and fair election in the hill districts?
Azo: We live in a democratic country and subject to the state government, there will be free and fair election and it has nothing to do with our Naga political groups.
It may be mentioned Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and NPF stalwart TR Zeliang also addressed the NPF’s ‘Campaign kick-off 2022’ at Senapati town on February 16 last.
Polling in Manipur will be held in two phases- February 28 and March 5 and results declared on March 10. While most constituencies in the valley will go to polls on February 28, polling in the Naga dominated hills districts including Senapati, Ukhrul and Tamenlong are slated for March 5.
