Nagaland: Get your calculations right, NPF tells Patton

Dimapur, Sep. 2 (EMN): Opposition NPF has raised doubts over Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton’s ability to do calculations in the backdrop of the latter’s recent claim that the NPF was “finished” in Nagaland.

In a press statement issued on Monday, the party reminded Patton that in the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly, NPF with 26 legislators is the single largest party; while BJP has only 12. “Maybe his mathematics calculation is giving him false information,” the NPF suggested.

According to the NPF, it was because of the ‘unconditional support’ of four NPF legislators in Manipur that the BJP is ruling there now. “Patton should also remember that NPF party has one MP each in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the Parliament. Therefore, the NPF question his wisdom on what ground he termed NPF party as finished,” the statement read.

The party further reminded Patton that it was because of his association with the NPF ‘in the past many years’ that he is in his current position. “He is expected to show some sense of respect when he refers to NPF on any occasion,” it stated.

The NPF maintained that it is a well-organised and disciplined party from the grassroots to central office with more than 10 lakh primary and active party members, and with units established in other NE states as well. “Needless to remind him that NPF is recognised and registered under ECI as one of the oldest regional political parties in the Northeast and the second oldest in the country.”

It also expressed surprise that the deputy chief minister had talked “about the formation of BJP government in 2023 on its own, which will not be very productive for its alliance partner.”

According to the NPF, it was not ‘healthy’ on the part of Patton “to propagate his political rumours to little schoolchildren.”