From right: NCP leader Neiba Ndang, Planning minister TR Zeliang, former minister Bangdi and NPF Peren division president Dennis at the DAN election rally at Athibung on Monday. (Morung Photo)
ATHIBUNG (PEREN) | APRIL 15 : In the eve of the 48-hours deadline for political campaigning to come to an end for the April 16 Lok Sabha election in Nagaland, the DAN coalition partners today made one final effort to woo the voters of Athibung area, which has, so far, remained a bastion of the Congress Party.
Addressing an election rally for DAN consensus candidate CM Chang here at Town Hall, both Planning Minister TR Zeliang and former Speaker and NCP leader Neiba Ndang impressed upon the public of Athibung and Kebai area to choose the right party and elect an MP who would speak and work on behalf of the Naga people as a whole.
Taking the dais first, Ndang said the Congress Party was presently like a “sinking boat,” a “divided” house and a camp with too many generals but no soldiers. “I have been in the Congress Party for more than 30 years and so I know the inside-out of the present state of affairs of the party,” Ndang said and added that though the Congress house may look “magnificent” on the outside, but inside it was empty and devoid of party workers, utensils or furniture.
TR Zeliang, Neiba campaign in Athibung area
The former AICC member said he had left the Congress Party since he did not want to go down along with the “sinking boat” and appealed to the public to do likewise as there was no point in sticking to a party whose future was doomed.
He also reiterated his charges that it was the “culture” of the Congress Party to always hanker after power and to snatch power, even without getting people’s mandate. On Congress’ reported claim that the party would come to power in the State after the by-election, Ndang said Congress leaders have become so “power-hungry” that they have started building castles in the air without knowing the ground reality. Minister for Planning TR Zeliang in his address said the frustration of the State Congress has reached such a height that they were making “baseless” allegations against the “popular” DAN Government.
Appealing to the public not to be misled by the “false promises” of the Congress Party, the minister said when he and Ndang were both ministers in the previous Congress regime, their demand for granting district status to Peren was to no avail. “However, when DAN Government under Neiphiu Rio assumed power, Peren district was granted within a year,” he said.
Zeliang also ridiculed the Congress’ slogan of “Peace” and said the party’s true colour was revealed to the Naga people when they did not attend the Naga consultative meeting, which was attended by all sections of people including political parties, Naga national groups and civil society.
On the other hand, DAN Government with its slogan “Peace for development and development for peace” and “equi-closeness” policy was committed to lasting peace, he added. BJP Peren District president D Abraham, NPF Peren district president Dennis, former NPCC member Thangsat also spoke on the occasion.
Addressing an election rally for DAN consensus candidate CM Chang here at Town Hall, both Planning Minister TR Zeliang and former Speaker and NCP leader Neiba Ndang impressed upon the public of Athibung and Kebai area to choose the right party and elect an MP who would speak and work on behalf of the Naga people as a whole.
Taking the dais first, Ndang said the Congress Party was presently like a “sinking boat,” a “divided” house and a camp with too many generals but no soldiers. “I have been in the Congress Party for more than 30 years and so I know the inside-out of the present state of affairs of the party,” Ndang said and added that though the Congress house may look “magnificent” on the outside, but inside it was empty and devoid of party workers, utensils or furniture.
TR Zeliang, Neiba campaign in Athibung area
The former AICC member said he had left the Congress Party since he did not want to go down along with the “sinking boat” and appealed to the public to do likewise as there was no point in sticking to a party whose future was doomed.
He also reiterated his charges that it was the “culture” of the Congress Party to always hanker after power and to snatch power, even without getting people’s mandate. On Congress’ reported claim that the party would come to power in the State after the by-election, Ndang said Congress leaders have become so “power-hungry” that they have started building castles in the air without knowing the ground reality. Minister for Planning TR Zeliang in his address said the frustration of the State Congress has reached such a height that they were making “baseless” allegations against the “popular” DAN Government.
Appealing to the public not to be misled by the “false promises” of the Congress Party, the minister said when he and Ndang were both ministers in the previous Congress regime, their demand for granting district status to Peren was to no avail. “However, when DAN Government under Neiphiu Rio assumed power, Peren district was granted within a year,” he said.
Zeliang also ridiculed the Congress’ slogan of “Peace” and said the party’s true colour was revealed to the Naga people when they did not attend the Naga consultative meeting, which was attended by all sections of people including political parties, Naga national groups and civil society.
On the other hand, DAN Government with its slogan “Peace for development and development for peace” and “equi-closeness” policy was committed to lasting peace, he added. BJP Peren District president D Abraham, NPF Peren district president Dennis, former NPCC member Thangsat also spoke on the occasion.