NDPP ‘poached’ Kaito — JD (U) leaders

Our Correspondent Kohima, June 25 (EMN): The Nagaland unit of Janata Dal (United) has blamed the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) of playing “poaching game”, resulting in the merging of its legisaotr G Kaito Aye and other leaders with the NDPP on June 24. In a press conference, the president of JD (U) Nagaland, Senchumo Lotha and general secretary Kitoho S Rotokha, accused the NDPP of poaching NPF, NPP and JDU members. According to them, this was nothing but an exhibition of “pure political hypocrisy” from the NDPP. Lotha said that the BJP should “be more careful” as the NDPP’s next poaching will be from the BJP. “They (NDPP) are sailing through troubled water,” he said. Even though it is now without any legislator, the party reaffirmed its alliance with the BJP.  “As long as BJP considers JD (U) as their ally, there is an alliance.” Asked if the party would be initiating any action against G Kaito Aye, they said that it was up to the national leaders of the party. Interestingly, they said that the BJP would also be consulted prior to taking any action. According to the JD (U) leaders, “Kaito G Aye had been trying to defect to BJP by meeting with Ram Madhav, BJP general secretary in-charge of Northeast twice with a request to defect to BJP. However, Madhav judiciously refused by asking Kaito G Aye to respect the principles of alliance and moreover not to displease Nitish Kumar, the national president of JD (U). “The height of opportunistic ambition was finally shattered when the JD (U) under the dynamic leadership of Nitish Kumar refused to accept the symbolic representation offered by BJP in the NDA and decided to give outside support to the NDA. Aye was hoping that JD (U) would be getting cabinet ministerial berths with plum portfolios in the present NDA government so that he can get financial benefits from the centre.  But on learning the aforesaid development, he was so disheartened that he finally decided to leave the party for greener pastures.” According to the party, it was feeling relieved after cleaning off its “garbage which was stinking and destroying the good odour of the party.” “Whatever allegation that has been levelled against the party or its top functionaries, it does not find merit and befitting to be responded because, opportunists and power mongers will always find a hole to perforate their fingers and throw the dirt at others,” it stated.