Key PDA parties dismiss ‘withdrawal’ letter as fake

Commits support to opposition-less government under CM Rio

KOHIMA — A letter from several key political parties in Nagaland withdrawing their support from the state’s coalition government that went viral on social media has been dismissed as fake.

The fake letter—listing legislators and state party presidents, including A Nyamnyei Konyak, MLA and state president of National People’s Party (NPP); S Richard Humtsoe, state president of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP-RV); Vanthungo Odyuo, state president of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP); Mughato Aye, state president of Republican Party of India (RPI-A); NSN Lotha, state president of Janata Dal (United); and NPF Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo Nienu—was addressed to the governor of Nagaland.

The primary message of this phony letter was that those political parties were withdrawing their support from the current opposition-less government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, citing a desire for political reconfiguration.

However, speaking to Eastern Mirror on Sunday, NPF leader Kuzholuzo Nienu, dismissed the viral letter as fake. He ruled out any such move by the political parties. 

Richard Humtsoe of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) also dismissed the message as mere “rumor.” He admitted to coming across the letter and clarified that no such letter has been submitted to the governor.

Vanthungo Odyuo of the NCP also said the letter is “fake.”

Mughato Aye, the state president of RPI (A), issued a press release condemning the viral WhatsApp message. He stated: “The RPI (A) Nagaland State totally condemns the malicious letter in circulation and makes it clear that the Republican Party of India (A) Nagaland State is firmly in support of and remains a part of the PDA Government of Nagaland.”

He further added that the party is committed to leaving no stone unturned in identifying the individual responsible for the circulation of the malicious letter.

The state president of NPP, A Nyamnyei Konyak, also ruled out any such move, stating that the NPP Nagaland State functions under its party constitution and, at no point, had authorised any individual or group to submit such a letter.

The Nagaland State unit of NPP condemned the anonymous author of the letter and maintained that “the NPP is quite satisfied and working comfortably in the opposition-less government under the able leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.”

It also demanded a public apology from those involved, to be issued across all platforms.