Dimapur, August 14 (EMN): The coordination committee of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, led by Kuzholuzo Nienu, has appealed to all the legislators to ‘join the mainstream and make the party stronger than ever.’ The group issued a press release on Monday expressing “pain and sadness” at the Naga Peoples’ Front’s (NPF) internal crisis.
The matter has been ‘dragging on with fresh confrontations within the party,’ it stated, ‘leaving the public in a state of shock and uncertainty.’
The press release was appended by Kuzholuzo Nienu, chairman; Y. Rhekkhum, president of the Janata Dal-United), Vanthungo Odyuo, state convenor for the NCP.
‘The matter has been dithering for too long, and we feel that this should be settled once and for all. We appeal to all legislators to come together and work for the development of the state rather than pursue self-interests. Our selfish motives must not make us forget “our roots,”’ the press release stated.
The legislators stated in appeal: “Join the mainstream and make the party stronger than ever. As stated in the DAN common minimum program, let us ‘keep away from an approach of confrontation and negativism and strive for mutual understanding. We must endeavor to narrow the gap between our social, political differences and disagreements whatsoever.’ We sincerely pray the ‘cock’ party continues to strive for excellence, peace, and harmony and live up to people’s expectation. We, as the DAN alliances members, are perturbed and hereby express our sincere concern for the NPF party as DAN partners.”
According to the committee, leaders ought to be able to sit ‘across the table and discuss matters’ to sort out any differences and resolve them peacefully.
“Nevertheless, in case this also is ruled out; we may allow the ECI to settle the matter, to take cognition of the issue in the event of any dispute,” it stated. “Until such time, it is our sincere-most appeal to both the parties to stop issuing press statements and counter-statements in the interest of the general public.”
The statement also expressed gratitude to Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, president of the NPF, “for placing the trust and confidence in our leadership.”
DAN coordination resolves
The DAN coordination committee has informed of a number of resolutions it stated to have taken after a meeting that was held on August 14 at DAN chairman’s office chamber in the morning.
“The members present in the meeting held a threadbare discussion and resolved thereof, the following merits as under: to reconstitute the DAN coordination committee and not to have any DAN vice-chairman at the moment,” a separate press release from the Kuzholuzo Nienu-led committee stated on Monday.
“To welcome any political parties to join hands with the DAN coalition in the near future. Extend full support to the leadership of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, as the president of NPF, and congratulate him on his victory in the recently concluded by-election.”
Also, it reaffirmed “our fullest commitment to strengthen the alliance partnership through thick and thin in the days to come” under the leadership of Kuzholuzo Nienu.
The NPF’s legislature party has issued a statement in rebuttal to “talky Yitachu.” A statement from the TR Zeliang-led NPF Legislature Party on Monday stated that the legislator had ‘very often’ been “seen participating at any given talk fest against his very own mentors” though “exception is granted to him keeping in mind the frustrated head at its 1st stage of agony.”
The statement asserted that the NPF members “would not let him go scot free, as he is diverting his acclaimed inner party issue to unconstitutional issue, Indian constitution issue, party-less issue, NGO’s / tribal hoho’s / organizations / intellectuals / non participant issue, RTI activists non participant issue, NPSC appointment issue and finally the fault of the Nagas for making him simply an MLA.”
The statement also stated that it was “really confusing” to “follow his speeches since he calls for restoration of the Constitution of India and ends up saying to allow him to use his own constitution.” Yitachu needs to be reminded that ‘both’ petitions filed by them in the court were dismissed.
“To make it simple for him to understand, their petitions were simply found to be legally untenable and hence dismissed by the honourable court. But instead, he is misinterpreting the law and the constitution and misleading everyone with ill-advice. This is only causing their group to make more and more mistakes every day,” the press release stated.
The legislator is asked ‘for the sake of NPF’ not to blame the NGOs, or intellectuals, RTI activists etc. Rather, it stated, he ought to “accept the reality.”
“Blaming the governor for interfering the inner party issue and entire Naga people for not speaking up in your tone, makes one wonder whether all the Nagas are registered NPF workers? A disgrace to minority MLA’s cannot be equated as a disgrace to entire Nagas,” the press release declared.
Advising to approach the ‘right authority’ if “you want your unconstitutional issue to be resolved,” the press release remarked that organizing “talk fest” won’t solve “your minority MLA status.”
The statement also expressed displeasure at labelling Chief Minister TR Zeliang’s government as ‘illegal because constitutional provisions were not followed to install it, is simply too vague.’
However, it stated, “the absence of minority MLAs on the floor after accepting their own whip to show their strength seems a violation on the issue of challenging floor test. Which group violated the established norm of the floor test under the constitution of India, its practices, usages and conventions under 10th schedule will be revealed and witnessed by the Naga people...,” the press release stated
Therefore, the statement added, the question of illegality of TR. Zeliang’s government “be treated null and void.”
“Harvesting in whose political field under whose patronage and under whose leadership one have mastered the art of speaking in talk fest, claiming to have his constitution of making the minority into majority with a host of noble laureates is well taken note of and indeed entire Naga people seems to be more and more empowered by Yitachu’s skills and vast knowledge on politics,” it added.
