Former Nagaland CM and Congress leader K L Chishi opts out of Feb polls

New Delhi/Dimapur

Former Nagaland Chief Minister and a veteran legislator K L Chishi has decided to stay away from next month's assembly elections.

"I have decided not to stand for this year's election," the senior Congress leader told 'Nagaland Page' on Friday evening.

However, he asserted, "I will remain in the Indian National Congress and work for the party to rebuild its glory." 

Chishi had last year announced his intent to contest polls from Atoizu assembly constituency and had even made a number of trips to the constituency between August and December 2022. He has represented this segment for multiple terms.

Interacting with a section of the public and supporters during a tour of Zunheboto town and Atoizu Assembly constituency in August, he had stated that in a democracy, a candidate's pledge was "sacred" and that if elected members promised something then they ought to honour their promises.

"Because you are expected to honour your words, you are called honourable MLAs and ministers," he said in his inimitable style.

Answering questions, Chishi said, "Corrupt governance under BJP-NDPP regime and a new political culture of gross abuse of money and muscle power are also reasons for my decision not to plunge into such a whirlpool of valueless politics".

To a question, he said, "As a sincere political creature I can only lament on the state of affairs we are in. The BJP and NDPP are behaving like strange bedfellows and though humorous, I also recall my old statement and even today the NDPP and BJP are like the conventional dogs in love. They are together but they lookin opposite directions'.

On the role of the elected MLAs, he said, "The word facilitator is a meaningful and powerful word. As someone with a law background, I am careful with every word. So, when some people say we are facilitators, that means you are promising to do anything and sacrifice anything for facilitating something. 

In Nagaland, this meant Solution, but all of them did nothing and have also made it clear that they will do nothing for the common good of the Naga people".  

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