Apropos to a news item appeared in Nagaland Post dated 23rd April 2016 under the caption “Concern over show cause notice served to MP (Lok Sabha)” by one M.L.L. Angami of Kohima Town, the Naga People’s Front Youth Wing (NPF) is constrained to issue this Rejoinder in order to set the record straight.
It is true that after along gap, the regional party came back to power under the Nomenclature “Nagaland Peoples Front” which was later changed to “Naga People’s Front (NPF) but with the same Motto “Fide Non Armis” and the same symbol “Cock”. The reason being that Regional Party (NPF) abstain from contesting in the 1998 Election in response to the call given by the Naga Civil society for early solution to the Nagas Issue. It is also a fact that both of them tried all out to outsmart Mr. S.C .Jamir for few years when both of them were with him as Ministers but they did not get the right platform and sufficient reasons to strike and to face the people. It was fortunate for them that at last Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and few more regional leaders who nurtured and preserved the cock symbol all through their life welcome Mr .N. Rio to NPF and fight with his undisputed boss Mr S. C. Jamir and fortunately it was successful with the contribution and support from every angle including civil societies and student leaders etc. with the hope that if Mr. N. Rio is made the Chief Minister an early solution to the Naga Issue would happen. Mr.N.Rio took over the Government with great difficulties because despite of all efforts, the NPF on its own could not muster the magic figure in 2003 election so it was another hurdle for him. The party workers struggle hard to get the required number to form the first DAN Government. Finally, Mr.N.Rio could see the light of the day. During his stint as CM in the first DAN Govt. he faced numerous problems from his colleagues because he tried to finish the career of many of his colleagues but the party had protected his leadership all through those difficult times. Today not only NPF but Naga people should know how he mangled his colleagues and shed crocodile tears Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu as president did all the dirty jobs for survival of DAN Government. In the later part of the tenure of the first DAN Govt. Mr.N.Rio was reduced to minority on the floor of the house but the former speaker Mr Kiyanilie protected him by disqualifying members and their votes were not counted in the house of 60.
Here M.L.L. Angami should think carefully and come out clearly who is the women and who is the serpent ? Mr.M.L.L Angami should also remember that the party has to oust Mr.K.Therie and Mr Z.Obed and few others in order to protect Mr.N.Rio’s leadership. Again in 2008 he become 2nd DAN CM absolutely there was no crisis in the Government and comfortably completed the tenure. Again in 2013 election, NPF alone secured 38 MLAs which was a surprised to the Medias speculation but after one year Mr.N.Rio decided to go to parliament and swim in the bigger ocean for Naga solution. Party Leadership got worried and started working out a formula to elect a consensus new leader successor of Mr. N. Rio. When there was clear majority in favour of Mr. T R Zeliang in the opinion polled by the party, M. N. Rio attempted to impose Mr. Noke as his successor where he miserably failed and thereafter he moved for reconciliation and allowed T.R. Zeliang to go ahead with all his blessing. After few months he pushed Mr. Kaito to lead the dissident group and change Mr. Zeliang leadership which started in his villa on 4th Jan 2015 with several false allegations against Mr. TR Zeliang which went up to the extent of ECI to remove the President Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu and also to freeze the Cock symbol. However, after having come to know the positive mind ECI, reconciliation had taken place in April 2015 revoking the suspension order and withdrawal of disqualification petition and so on. Now he himself is trying to come back through backdoor by using different kinds of elements such as former civil society leaders and few displaced political leaders in Nagaland and Manipur as well. NPF Party failed to understand what he (Mr. N Rio) really wants when Frame work Agreement had been signed and the talk is going on in a fast-pace manner to come to a logical conclusion. Why does he want change of leadership at this crucial moment? Does he want PR or Change the model of talk or he can’t stand opposition less Government. He should realize that all the 60 Members have coming together and passing resolution to support the Frame Work Agreement and early solution is for the interest of the Naga people. Besides the Members of the Legislative Assembly, all the civil societies today are all working together for solution of the protracted Naga Issue so should he not be happy and work in parliament if he really meant solution?.
Yes no one denies that Mr. N. Rio contributed a lot to the NPF party when he was CM of DAN I & II but it does not mean that he has the liberty to play with the party and present govt. like his toy. He had his time and now in someone’s time he should also allow others to function if he really love Naga People and if he really meant for solution to Naga issue. If one keeps on acting against present CM and president nothing lost to them collectively or individually but it’s a great loss to the people. Therefore, enough is enough we have seen too many drama in the party and govt. during almost two years. We are fed up of hearing the word ‘reconciliation’ because those leaders who are talking of reconciliation everyday are one who are actively involved in trying to topple the present Govt. “Allow youth to see good politics and let them emulate”.
Media Cell,
NPF Youth Wing
