"Age is not a factor ... If we have good health... But it's also true Health is also certainly a big factor," remarked NPF leader Azo Nienu

NPF leader and Phek legislator Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu is an important Tenimiya face in Nagaland politics today. Of course, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of the NDPP is one of the tallest and most successful regional party leaders. 

Asked to comment on multiple stories/spins given to 'news' about Chief Minister Rio's health -- Azo said: 

"Age is not a factor, if we have good health... But it's also true Health is also certainly a big factor," remarked the NPF leader.

 

Health is certainly crucial and hence the former Minister said: "....If your health is not good, you may have to give up your chair even sooner than you expect".  

"So for me if honourable Chief Minister Mr Rio's health is good, he should continue....But if health is not good, I leave it to his wisdom. But the way I see him he does not seem to have any health issue as far as his appearance is concerned".  

Answering questions on the recent controversy when the Chief Minister delegated power to Deputy CM and BJP MLA Y Patton; Mr Nienu told this blogger:

 "I will not answer the manner you are asking the question......," he said.

 But when specifically quizzed that it would have been natural for the CM to 'delegate' power to his own party colleague T R Zeliang and also a former Chief Minister, " 

Azo said: 

"You see CM Rio is running after all a coalition government .... maybe he had to please the BJP. But there is another angle ...because Y Patton is holding the Home portfolio. He had to give the charge to him. But it is the incumbent Chief Minister's prerogative". 

To a question he said: “Nagas are at a crossroads, unsure of where we are heading or what the future holds amid total chaos, social unrest, and political turmoil".

According to Azo, the disunity, self-interest, and multiple factions of Naga "national workers" have left both the society and politics without clear leadership or direction.  

To a specific question, the former Minister said: "If you ask that .... I will say we Nagas now need a unified command both in the Naga underground and also overground politics.  We have 26 Naga national workers factions... we have as many taxation for common people... 

We also have about 14 or 15 political parties in Nagaland and some of them do not have a single MLA..... Even Congress party does not have one".

Asked to comment on NNPG 'new working convener' Isak Sumi's remarks that all 60 MLAs are "Nagas by blood" and hence should contribute much towards the peace process and an early Solution, Azo said:

"Mr Isak Sumi is absolutely right.... I fully agree with him but the same goes to all of them. We all MLAs are Nagas by blood. We are doing our part and we will do more. But I would also add here that all Naga national workers and NNPG leaders and workers are also Nagas by blood like us. 

My suggestion is they also should stop imposing multiple taxation on people which has broken Naga economy and many investors are already leaving the state". 

"The era of extortion, threat, intimidation, multiple taxation and kidnapping must come to an end.... for how long should we Nagas continue to live like this," he added. 

ends