Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also and JD (U) national president, will campaign for party candidates in the forthcoming Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections.

JD (U) Nagaland state unit, however, said the date of his visit is yet to be finalized.

Among other campaigners, the list which was submitted to Election Commission of India, are MP RCP Singh, party general secretary (Org) KC Tyagi, ex-MP and secretary general Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Bihar minister for irrigation and secretary Afaque Ahmad Khan, national executive members Aneel Hedge, Sanjay Jhah, Ajay Alok, Sanjay Verma, and Nikhil Mandal.

The party has put up candidates in 15 Assembly constituencies in the districts of Kohima, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Wokha, Mon, Tuensang and Kiphire.

The JD (U) Nagaland state unit in its election manifesto said it would “honour the footstep of its founding father Jayaprakash Narayan and his love for the Naga people, by continuing to support an honourable solution to the Naga issue at the earliest.”

The manifest also laid strong emphasis on the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Indo-Naga political issue.

JD (U) Nagaland president Senchumo (NSN) Lotha said the JD (U) will contest the election with the theme “Development With Justice”. The JD (U) decided to go alone in this Assembly election to give Nagaland a party with a difference, Lotha said while releasing manifesto. He, however, added that the party will assess the situation for post-poll alliance on issue basis.

The JD (U) said it will stand for fair means in availing job opportunities, establishment of small and medium industries, Special Financial Assistance for small business establishments, stopping business establishments owned, managed and controlled illegally by non-Nagas and making such opportunities available to capable Naga youths.

It also spoke in favour of constituting a Staff Selection Board (SSB) in line with the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), for conduct of examinations to the vacant posts that do not fall within the purview of NPSC. It further favoured establishing a full-fledged Police Recruitment Board (PRB).