Rio calls for unity
EMN
Kohima, May 9
In the event of the incumbent Chief Minister winning the Lok Sabha polls, the top seat of power in the state will fall vacant. This scenario more likely than unlikely has been the cause of a nightmare unfolding within the Naga People’s Front. The seemingly insurmountable divide within the party has prompted the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to issue a statement, appealing for unity and provide stability.
Rio said:“I am deeply concerned and saddened by the current scenario in the party and the State Government. The most important concern is that the NPF led DAN Government must be able to provide a stable government under a spirit of unity, understanding and oneness. Such an approach is the only way to provide development, progress and economic growth as we continue to strive towards peace.At this crucial juncture, it is of paramount importance that the NPF stay united for the sake of the people, who have given their mandate to us. I appeal to all sections of the party and the honourable elected members to come together and find a consensus solution that will pave the way for a smooth transition of power whenever the need arises. This is the only way forward to ensure stability of the government, unity of the party and implementation of effective governance. The need of the hour is for us to come together, bury our differences and unify the party in the greater interest of the people and the masses.
Unity amongst ourselves will further strengthen our common endeavour to take the peace process forward and bring permanent peace and political solution to our people.”
CM selection litmus test
Dr. Shürhozelie says party out of scene; but will intervene if legislators unable to unite
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 9
Naga People’s Front (NPF) President, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu while asserting that NPF as party is not playing any role in electing the next Chief Minister to lead remaining four years of DAN-III government, today said “the Party will intervene only if the problem becomes serious and the legislators are unable to find a consensus leader”.
Exclusively talking to Eastern Mirror at his residence here today, Dr. Shürhozelie said “in a situation like this as president of the party, I feel the problem is not very serious though there might be some slight misunderstanding here and there”.
“The Party as such, we are not intervening into the matter,” he said while justifying notifications have been issued that “legislators are expected to adopt the parliamentary system of election in electing their leader with open mind”.
“We have even told the legislators that nobody should be allowed to canvass from behind to which proper instruction has been issued,” he said.
Maintaining that time is still there for the new leader to be elected, he said “we (NPF) will wait and watch for some more days and if they cannot decide among themselves we will surely intervene as a party”.
Nonetheless, even as aspiring candidates have reportedly started forming camps, he said it is not division, but just difference of opinion.
An NPF press bureau release reacting to news of a power struggle within the party has termed the report hinting at dissension as mischievous. The statement alleged that the reports are misleading and paint an “imaginary power struggle within the NPF in choosing the next leader”. “The aim of these mischievous elements is to create confusion in the minds of legislators so that the Congress party which is on its last flicker is facilitated to fish in troubled waters, it added.
The NPF release countered allegations that the opinion poll and signature campaign by the Core Committee to oversee a smooth transition of power were unilaterally taken by the President of the party. It states “the fact of the matter is that the party president and the Chief Minister along with others have taken a decision long back to evolve a consensus in identifying the leader to take over from Mr. Rio.”If consensus fails, the next decision will be a majority decision, states the release.
The release also stated that the party President had taken an independent opinion poll which converged on the name of a leader in the NPF who otherwise also commands more than majority support amongst the NPF MLAs.
The NPF party the statement said the aprty will always uphold the verdict of the majority even within its legislature wing and so the process is on to arrive at a consensus which the party will supervise until it reaches a logical conclusion. As for the alliance partners and the other supporting legislators, we are assured of their continued support to the new majority leader whose name will be declared at an appropriate time.
The release has disclaimed reports alluding to leadership struggle within NPF ranks,that appeared in local dailies. It said the views are unfounded with malafide intent to divide the party.
