February 16, 2018

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 70

FRIDAY, February 16, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Ellen won $1,000 for guessing gender of Natalie’s baby

PNB scam: ED raids diamond trader Nirav Modi

Aubameying ruling ‘makes no sense’: Wenger

infotainment, Page 10

national, Page 5

sports, Page 11

ECI vows to ensure free, fair polls

Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 15 (NPN): Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday made it abundantly clear that under no circumstances will it allow any attempt to vitiate the atmosphere, in any of the 60 Assembly Constituencies, and strongly reaffirmed that the electoral machinery will hold free and fair polls. This was stated by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) O.P. Rawat while briefing media persons after meeting representatives of all registered political parties on the concluding day of his two-

This is it!

day visit at Hotel Japfu, Kohima. Rawat said the commission had directed State level and district level election officials to be fearless, unbiased, neutral and independent from any influence whatsoever. Highlighting the outcome of his meeting with various political leaders,

Rawat said the ECI team noted their suggestions for holding free, fair and peaceful elections and added that the team also reviewed the ground situation with the chief secretary, director general of police, home secretary and other senior officials of the State, including deputy commissioners,

commissioners of police and superintendents of police. According to Rawat, most political parties welcomed the commission’s decision to hold the Assembly elections in the State and allow filing of nomination papers with ROs, instead of DEOs, as it resulted in cutting of expenses. They also

expressed satisfaction on the election arrangements made thus far, he added. The CEC said the parties also urged the ECI team to instruct election observers to be more proactive and take suitable action on complaints and that electionrelated guidelines should be translated into local languages for the benefit of parties, candidates and voters. The ECI team also reviewed the overall lawand-order situation in the State. It directed the State administration and police to take effective steps to beef up security.

NPF party to form next govt, asserts T.R. Zeliang

DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister and NPF’s chief ministerial candidate, T.R. Zeliang on Thursday asserted that his party, being the oldest and longest surviving regional Party in Northeast India that had guided Naga people since its inception in 1963, would form the next government. Addressing an election rally of NPF at Tuensang town, Zeliang recalled various events since the party’s inception, especially the Assembly election of 1998 in which NPF had heeded to the voice of the Naga people and abstained from participating. He claimed that NPF had led the Nagas in the past, it was leading them today and would continue to lead them in (Cont’d on p-7) the future. (Cont’d on p-7)

T.R. Zeliang led from the back not front: Neiphiu Rio

NDPP chief ministerial candidate former chief minister Neiphiu Rio has hit out strongly at chief minister T.R. Zeliang by holding the latter responsible for the massive corruption, instability, misgovernance, propaganda and lies during his four-year tenure which severely damaged the prospects of the NPF party. According to a press communiqué from NDPP, Rio said this while addressing NDPP rallies in Tening, Peren, Athibung and Jalukie Thursday. He further blasted T.R. Zeliang for lacking vision, strong leadership and commitment and adding that he led from behind rather than from the front. Rio recalled how he resigned from Congress in 2002 as home minister and revived the regional party into NPF and under which he had contested the 2003 polls. (Cont’d on p-7)

NBCC youth dept appeals to young voters JD (U) clarifies State BJP takes on Dr. Jamir Dr. Jamir refutes DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): With less than 12 days to go for the polls, youth department of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has appealed to all young voters to maintain peace and tranquility for free and fair election. In a statement issued on Thursday, NBCC youth secretary Rev Vikuo Rhi also urged everyone to abide by the Clean Election guidelines and respect the pledge made by individuals. Rhi admitted that, while Clean Election campaign was making an impact, challenges like selling and buying of votes still existed. Many young people did not realise that by accepting

money during elections, they were selling their birthright in exchange of the bigger common good, he pointed out. Reminding the youth that they were the hope of today and leaders of tomorrow, the NBCC youth secretary remarked that “change” was the cry of every young mind. But he asked who would bring the change, before quoting the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi as having said “Be the change you want to see.” Pointing out that the opportunity to bring change was right at their doorstep now and that their votes were powerful, Rhi exhorted them to use their valuable votes to bring positive change. (Cont’d on p-7)

DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): Reacting to the reports of JD (U) entering into a pre-poll alliance with the NPF party, JD (U) president, Senchumo Lotha clarified that the party has not entered into any pre-poll alliance with any party. He said the statement, purportedly made by chief minister T.R. Zeliang on February 14, “does not hold any truth as there has been no agreement signed between the NPF and the JD (U) till today.” Lotha affirmed the decision of JD (U) to contest alone in the ensuing general elections.

DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): A day after its alliance partner, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), accused Odisha Governor, Dr. S.C. Jamir of involving himself in the state electioneering process, the state BJP on Thursday accused Dr. Jamir of “brazenly” taking part in election campaigns in favour of Congress and NPF candidates while stationed at Mokokchung. A press release issued by state BJP media cell pointed out that, after taking the oath

of office, a governor was not supposed to indulge in any political activity and remain non-partisan while discharging his or her duties. BJP appealed to the President of India Ram Nath Kovind to take action against Dr. Jamir for committing “constitutional impropriety and dereliction of duties”. Pointing out further that Supreme Court had clearly drawn the line for governors to steer clear of political (Cont’d on p-7)

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): Nagaland’s senior-most veteran politician and Odisha Governor, Dr. S.C. Jamir, accused of alleged meddling in state elections earlier by the NDPP and then BJP, has reiterated that these were conjectures. Responding to the allegations in a telephonic talk with Nagaland Post Thursday, Dr. Jamir maintained that he had visited one home in Mokokchung and by doing so “it cannot be described as a campaign (Cont’d on p-7)

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“My election pledge is to make all of you crorepaties within 20 years.”

O.P. Rawat (3rd from left) along with the ECI team briefing media persons in Kohima. (NP)

2018 Assembly Polls: Campaign Trail

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February 16, 2018 by Nagaland Post - Issuu