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Dimapur, Feb. 3 (EMN): The Nagaland unit of the National People's Party (NPP) has disclaimed statements attributed to the NPP’s national executive member Hayithung Bill Lotha concerning Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton's remarks recently.
The NPP issued a press release to the media on Monday stating that the individual’s opinion was ‘purely in his personal capacity.’
"Apropos to the news item that was published under the heading ‘NPP reacts to Patton's remarks' dated 03/02/2020 in the local dailies. The National People's Party, Nagaland state unit would like to categorically state and clarify that the party does not in any way endorse the statement of Shri. Hayithung Bill Lotha in any form nor is it aware of any such perspective, either at the state or national level,” the rejoinder stated.
“The NPP makes its stand very clear on the matter of Shri. Hayithung Bill Lotha's statement or remark that it is purely in his personal capacity, to lay rest to any consternation or speculation that may have arisen in the light of the recent press release.”
BJP
In another matter, the Nagaland unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued a statement in response to another statement purported to have been made by the deputy chief minister, this time concerning public service appointments.
The BJP expressed shock that “one fictitious person” had posted on Facebook a video of Patton delivering a speech during the 51st annual session of the Lotha Student's Union. The video was deleted by the person but was later copied and “made viral” by another person.
The BJP claimed: “For information and clarity of all, Shri. Y Patton had always stood for fairness and meritocracy in the whole process of the examination system. He was one person who was instrumental for curtailment of NPSC viva marks from 75 to 55. It may be put on record that during the winter of 2017 when the public under the banner of Public Coordination Committee was staging indefinite strike against corruption and injustice in the state at a marathon meeting held at the House of Hope between representatives of PCC and state Cabinet, Shri Y. Patton alone stood against the appointment of NPSC members from a non-civil service background and random marking in NPSC viva-voce.”
‘In the course of his speech, Shri. Patton challenged the Lotha students' community to clear UPSC and NPSC exams on a merit basis and even placed a reward for meritorious students. The video making viral and the statement of Shri. Patton had already been clarified and corroborated by the Lotha Students' Union themselves. Hence, the video and the alleged statement hold no water but a futile attempt by fame mongers to malign the good office of BJP and its leadership.’ The Nagaland BJP will not tolerate malicious statements and “political conspiracies” but ‘shall take stern action against the defaulter,’ the party stated.