NBDA chairman passes away; PM, CM & others condole demise

Dimapur, October 12 (MExN): Chairman of Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency and former President of BJP Nagaland Visasolie Lhoungu passed away on October 12 at Kohima.

Following his demise, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, State Chief Minister (CM) Neiphiu Rio, Deputy CM Y Patton and others issued condolence messages.

“Shri Visasolie Lhoungu was a hardworking and dedicated person who was passionate about the progress of Nagaland and empowerment of the Naga people. He made noteworthy efforts to strengthen the BJP in the state. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. RIP,” the PM tweeted on Tuesday.

 “The former bureaucrat before joining State politics served the State Government as the CEO of National Rural Livelihoods Mission under Rural Development Department. Indeed, he was a hardworking, sincere and diligent officer,” CM Neiphiu Rio noted.

Remembering late Visasolie as a ‘cheerful, friendly and helpful person’, the CM also said that he was someone who had “sincere concerns for the welfare of the marginalized section of the society.”

“He was personally known to me and I remember him as a cheerful, friendly and helpful person. Indeed, he was a person with a big heart and a delightful personality whom I will miss dearly,” Rio wrote.

Stating that the Naga society as a whole has lost a leader and a mentor, Rio also said that the vacuum created by his demise will be difficult to fill. “However, let us cherish the wonderful memories he has left behind,” the CM added, as he along with his family conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed to rest in peace.

Meanwhile, Deputy CM and BLP leader Y Patton also condoled the death of Visasolie Lhoungu stating that late Visasolie became president of the state BJP when the party was struggling to make its mark in state politics and had to go through a lot of hardships battling the odds.

“His contributions towards the upliftment of the party and also towards the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency will be remembered by the people. In his death the state has lost one good leader which will be dearly felt,” Patton wrote.

On behalf of the state BJP legislators, the Deputy CM conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that God would comfort them.

In a separate statement, NDPP President Chingwang Konyak recounted that he had the opportunity to work with late Visasolie after their parties entered into pre-poll alliance in the early part of 2018.

“… I found him to be soft-spoken but very persuasive when it came to the welfare of the general public,” Konyak added.

He said that late Visasolie was ‘a thorough gentleman’ who never lost his cool and that those who were associated with him would vouch for him as being always “supportive, non-intrusive in the functioning of the department and was a father-figure to his colleagues and subordinates.”

In his demise, Nagas have lost a capable leader whose concern for the common people was foremost and most admirable, the NDPP President stated.

“The rank and file of the NDPP joins me in mourning the demise of the leader,” he stated and offered heartfelt condolences to late Visasolie’s wife and family members.

State President, BJP Nagaland Unit Temjen Imna Along stated that Visasolie Lhoungu was the former State President of BJP Nagaland during 2016 - 2018 and was instrumental in maneuvering the Bharatiya Janata Party Nagaland with much zeal and patience.

“Being endowed with vast political acumen and experiences; he gave his best to uphold the Bharatiya Janata Party from the early stages of its formative years. His contributions in strengthening the BJP is remarkable,” Along said.

He also remembered late Visasolie as a refined statesman and a tall political figure in the State.

“His passing is a great loss to Nagaland State BJP, and his immense sacrifices rendered towards the upliftment of the party shall ever be remembered for posterity,” Along added.

“The rank and file of State BJP Nagaland Unit joins me in conveying our deepest condolences to the near and dear ones of Shri. Visasolie Lhoungu,” Along stated in his condolence message and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.