EMN
Dimapur, January 6
The development in the NPF for a change of leadership in the present ministry led by Chief Minister TR Zeliang evoked mixed reactions from the party units as well as BJP Nagaland. In a release today, eight office bearers of NPF said the party fully endorsed the action of president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu on January 5 in suspending seven NPF legislators from the membership of the party and strongly endorsed the action of the Chief Minister in removing a few ministers and some parliamentary secretaries.
The release issued by Apong Pongener, working president, Huska Yepthomi, working president, Zaku Tsukru, vice president, Pinyimthung Lotha, chairman, Life Membership Cell, Pusazo Luruo, VP, S. Shingyu, VP, BP Hanghuh, general secretary and Blaise Iheilung, general secretary said the action was taken after prolonged endurance since party was of the view that discipline which is the trade mark of the party men and women will be upheld in all times. “Unfortunately there are certain elements who are hell bent to dislodge the government and attract President’s Rule,” the release said and added that in their disparate attempt they have resorted to dissidence violating all party norms and attracted disciplinary action such as suspension order upon themselves. “We remind the party of all rank and file that constitution is supreme and anybody who acts on their own whims will not be tolerated,” they cautioned.
Maintaining that the decision to install TR Zeliang as chief minister in his present capacity and position is the collective will and decision of the party including the elected members, the eight office bearers said therefore, any attempt to disrupt the present arrangement by proposing to replace the leadership is in complete contravention of the party norms and practices.
All such actions are deemed to be anti-party and against the interest of the party and free expression, which have a tendency towards dividing the party into factions and jeopardise the stability of the government, and will be strictly dealt with, they further cautioned.
“We cannot betray the people of Nagaland who have reposed their confidence on the party because of our declared policies in the constitution and election manifestos thereby returning us back for the third consecutive time,” they said. “This is a unique achievement and we are duty bound and obligated to deliver to the people what is due to them by providing a stable government throughout this term hence frequent changes of leadership on flimsy ground shall not be the practice of the day,” they stated.
They also asserted that “as the custodians of the mandate, the party will zealously guard and protect the belief of the Naga people to drive home the top most priority of finding an honourable and amicable solution to the Indo-Naga political problem”.
NPF Zunheboto Division
NPF Zunheboto Division observed that majority members of NPF Legislature Party have unanimously decided to change the leadership of the present ministry. Extending support to the majority NPF Legislature Party members who have elected G Kaito Aye as unanimous leader, the NPF Zunheboto Division demanded immediate installation of new government headed by him.
“We extend our appreciation of their statement in which they have expressed utmost concern for the unity and strengthening of the NPF party,” NPF Zunheboto Division president I Nikheto Jimomi and general secretary P Kiyeiu Awomi said in a statement today and appealed to the NPF Legislature Party and the NPF leadership led by Dr. Shürhozelie to allow inner democracy and the will of the majority of the members to prevail.
The Zunheboto division of the party also appealed to the party president to immediately withdraw the suspension order served to the MLAs, saying they are not involved in any anti-party activities nor are against NPF party in any manner.
Stating that the NPF party has always been known to be democratic allowing the will of the people and inner democracy to take place smoothly under all circumstances, the division said all autocratic and ‘dictatorial action’ taken by the party is therefore condemned and rejected.
NPF Central Youth Wing
The NPF Central Youth Wing has strongly endorsed the decision of NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu in suspending seven NPF legislators from the party for anti-party activities while upholding the inner party democracy.
The NPF Central Youth Wing also supported Chief Minister TR Zeliang in sacking two ministers and six parliamentary secretaries so as to provide a stable government to the people of Nagaland, according to a release issued by NPF Central Youth Wing president N Vihoshe Swu today.
Reminding all concerned that the people of Nagaland had given absolute mandate to the NPF party, the NPF Youth Wing said the trust of the people should not be betrayed at the cost of any ‘selfish interest’.
It also appealed to the people of Nagaland not to be swayed away by a cheap rumour propogated by some vested individuals as the NPF-led DAN government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister TR Zeliang is still stable and will complete its full term.
