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Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 5 (EMN): In an apparent display of defiance against the incumbent state party president, six district presidents of the Nagaland Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) have sought the intervention of its national president JP Nadda to relieve them from their assigned responsibilities. A letter in this regard was also dispatched to the national party president.
They included president of Phek district Nucutso Ruho, president of Wokha district Yanthungo Kikon, president of Peren district Tingsangi John Panmei, president of Noklak district P Demo, president of Tuensang district T Chongshen Chang, and president of Kohima district Seyiekhrielie Nagi.
Addressing a press conference at Duda Guest House on Wednesday evening, the members maintained that they have sought for an urgent intervention on several occasions into the crisis within BJP Nagaland in order to save the party from further damage under the incumbent state president.
They informed that appeals were made twice to Ram Madhav, the then BJP national general secretary and in-charge of Northeast and Kashmir, and also to other senior leaders including Nalin Kohli, BJP national spokesperson and in-charge of Nagaland, and five times to the BJP national president JP Nadda.
Lamenting that all the appeals and efforts to resolve the issue was not responded to, the six district presidents stated that they have sought the intervention of the national president to relieve them from their assigned responsibilities with immediate effect. They, however, affirmed to 'remain as active members and loyal Karyakartas'.
Kikon expressed apprehension that the party might not fare well in the 2023 state general election if the present crisis is not resolved. He was sceptical that the party might be reduced to a single digit unlike the present scenario where it has 12 BJP legislators.
The leader maintained that they have appealed to Ram Madhav for implementation of 'One man, one post' principle in Nagaland as the current state president is a legislator and minister with many important portfolios to look after and cannot provide time to the party Karyakartas at all levels.
Leaders have also alleged undemocratic practices and manipulation of the state president in the appointment of district presidents without consulting the stakeholders and other district presidents. They went on to allege the state president of lacking transparency in financial matters.
The leaders have affirmed their stands for the removal of the current state BJP president. They also alleged that the state party president, instead of addressing the issue, has started to remove them (district presidents) which was duly elected for three years tenure that was conducted by the Nagaland state BJP election committee.
Also alleging that even the 'elected presidents' were removed without any reason, they maintained that their positions are not secured and cannot continue to work for the party wholeheartedly under such circumstances.
They have cited an instance wherein the BJP president of Phek district was removed with no any showcase or other discipline merely to 'further strengthen the party.’ They added that other district presidents were removed unceremoniously except for Wokha and Tuensang districts.
Further, they maintained that the party workers from districts have support for their move.