Naga People's Front downplays PDA’s ‘achievement’ claims

Phek division expresses resentment over action against NPF 17th Chizami area unit

Dimapur, March 11 (EMN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Wednesday took a potshot at the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) over the announcement of its “achievement” during the thanksgiving event on March 9 to commemorate the completion of two years in office.

Through a statement issued by its press bureau, the NPF said the second year of PDA government had more controversy than the previous year; with no project or achievement, which it stated, the Naga public is the best witness. It went on to claim that the present government was “simply carrying out the old works” initiated by the NPF-led DAN government.

‘We have seen, how the PDA government under the chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy chief minister Y Patton talked about the good governance and transparency,’ the statement read, adding that it had promised to provide good roads within certain time frame as well as repair all the district roads but had failed to do so even after two years.

‘The tall promises of the PDA government fall short as the road project, Dimapur-Golaghat Gate to Patkai Bridge and Kohima bye pass check gate to Phesama check gate are suppose to be completed within the year 2019 and the workmanship of the quality of road is pathetic and not up to the standard and prescribed work specification,’ the party claimed.

It also stated the PDA government had claimed that the Naga political issue was “successfully concluded” on October 31 2019 but no progress is seen till date. It further wondered why the government remained silent when a Naga human rights activist was denied travelling outside India.

The party went on to accuse the PDA government of filling “thousands of vacancies in the government sector” without “proper interview and norms”.

Phek division unit passes resolution

The NPF Phek division has expressed resentment over the expulsion of office bearers and dissolution of the party’s 17th Chizami area unit after it wrote an emotionally-charged open letter to NPF president Shurhozelie Lezietsu.

In a letter addressed to the NPF president, a copy of which has been made available to this newspaper, the Phek division, while highlighting its contribution to the party, mentioned the political turmoil that led to a major fall-out. It justified the party’s 17th Chizami area unit’s move, stating that it was prompted to do so because of several political events like failure to form government despite emerging as the single largest party; not fielding its candidate in the Lok Sabha election; and suspension of its seven MLAs, Rajya Sabha MP KG Kenye and secretary general.

The NPF Phek division said in the letter that it had passed a few resolutions during its meeting with the frontal and area unit presidents on March 9. The house observed that the NPF 17th Chizami area unit’s open letter to the president of NPF was genuine “with documentary proof demanding for upholding justice within the party.” While expressing its “displeasure over the highhandedness of the top party functionaries”, it said the NPF 17th Chizami area unit and the Disciplinary Action Committee also completely ignored the Phek division on the matter.

The house expressed resentment over the hasty issuance of “expulsion order of the office bearers and dissolution of NPF 17th Chizami area unit” without consulting the Phek division. It also resolved to appeal to both the NPF 17th Chizami area unit and the central office to “review their stand and come to an understanding in the best interest of the Party which will go a long way in boosting the morale of the party”.