Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Feb. 7 (EMN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has filed a complaint against Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) candidate Neiphiu Rio allegedly for 'obstructing' his opponent Chupfu-o Kense, an NPF candidate, who was on his way to file nomination on Feb. 7. It may be mentioned that Rio and Kense have filed nominations as candidates to the 11th Northern Angami-II assembly constituency.
The letter of complaint, which was addressed to the office of the principal secretary (political parties) of the Election Commission of India at New Delhi alleged that Rio obstructed Kense while the latter was on his way to file nomination at Chiephobozou additional deputy commisisoner headquarters.
According to the complaint given by S Akho Leyri, general secretary and nodal officer to ECI, NPF, a copy of which was also given to the speaker of the Lok Sabha at New Delhi, the obstruction took place at Nerhema village at 2.20 pm. The NPF party has also asked the authorities in concern to intervene and take ‘immediate necessary action.’
Meanwhile, sources from Rio’s camp said that the entire drama of road blockade was managed by the rival candidate and his party workers with the intention to tarnish Rio's image.
“The entire drama was their own architect (sic) with the sole intention to create confusion among the voters and the Nagas at large,” said a close associate of Rio.
NDPP files counter-complaint
In a counter-complaint addressed to the same ECI official, the president of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) unit of 11th Northern Angami II assembly constituency, Vibeilietuo Kets, has requested for “action against false and defamatory allegation.”
According to him, at around 2.30 pm on Feb. 7, “Some traffic snarl occurred at Nerhema village under 11th Northern Angami II A/C due to which the NPF candidate Mr. Chupfu-o's entourage was unfortunately stranded for a brief moment.”
However, he stated, the Naga People's Front party “seized the opportunity to unfoundedly allege the involvement of NDPP candidate Mr. Neiphiu Rio vide its letter to the ECI bearing Ref. No. NPF — 13/ECl/2015- 2020/48(B) Dated 07/02/2018 and by viral posts and message on social media.”
Rio, it reminded, had been contesting elections since 1989 and thus 'well-acquainted' with the Model Code of Conduct. “Such allegation against the NDPP and its candidates is totally baseless, devoid of proof and/or evidence and laced with malafide intent to purposely defame the NDPP party and its candidate by means of propaganda to gain political mileage.
“Such acts are unbecoming of the NPF party and falls under the ambit of corrupt practices and electoral offences as mentioned in Section 123 Clause (4) of The Representation Of The Peoples Act, 1951. Therefore, you are requested to kindly look into the matter for further necessary action against the NPF party and its candidate,” the complaint read.
