NPF reiterates that Rio’s suspension was to protect interests of party

DIMAPUR, MAY 29 : The ongoing issue of the Naga Peoples’ Front party suspending Neiphiu Rio from the party and the resultant exchanges in the media both for and against the suspension order continues till today. In the initial few days after the suspension there were highly emotive words being exchanged in the media, some even to the point of using words that would be deemed as un-parliamentary.

However in what could be described as a more toned down approach taken by the NPF Press Bureau while still justifying the suspension order, a press release from the Bureau stated” “Communication involves a relationship between the sender and the receiver and the very essence of providing credible and qualitative information to the receiver depends hugely on the very communicator.
“As have been expressed by observers, with varied interests and people with different back grounds, (some of which are rated as positive) over the widening imbroglio within this ‘big grand old Naga People’s Front (NPF) family’, it is now more than high time, the mutually defeating and destructive in-fighting be settled or ended; in whichever way can be acceptably a gift to the future.

“If legacies and heritages are gifts of the present to the future, when the present becomes the past, what type of legacy or heritage as gift, can the NPF give to the future to cherish, enjoy and preserve, in exchange of the people’s support, sacrifices and faith reposed upon the NPF, giving us (NPF) 3 consecutive mandates in the state general elections? Are we aware, reciprocating selflessly or are we at all attending to our committed responsibilities with devotion and sincerity?”

Notwithstanding this toned-down approach, the press note still maintained that the suspension order was purely to protect the interests of the party above personal interests and added that it was about “an area of transparent honesty where no member (Active/Primary) of NPF can fool or outwit the long arm of rules and disciplines as enshrined in respective Articles of the NPF Constitution. No space for favouritism or notoriety. It’s as simple as that.”

It also spelled out the party’s expectations that “obedience and austere devotion has to be password in following, as well as guiding and dealing with the administrative affairs of the NPF” as illustrated by “founders and successive leaders of this party guided it through decades, with untold sacrifices, having build the party on firm and solid ground”.

It suggested that Rio, “instead of letting himself to be carried away according to the whims and fancy of people with no knowledge, of even the basics of NPF party rules, disciplines ideology and principles”, should “religiously meditate, introspect impartially and come to modest reality, rather than obstinately straying, falling prey to wild agendas of destructive wishful thinking.”

The press note further added that suspensions are done in all organisations purely with the intention “to uphold, promote and abide by the established disciplines and rules of the organization to ensure meaningful cohesion and unity for a strong and healthy future”.

It berated the MP for what it said was “most unreasonable, and unacceptable that, a leader so highly respected, holding such high office and responsibilities on his shoulders, behaves so adamantly irresponsible, without any sense of remorse towards the very party he was so proud of, at a juncture party men and women in particular and the citizens in general are prayerfully looking forward for his (Mr Neiphiu Rio) positive performance as Member of Lok Sabha, with great hope and expectations.”

Letters for Reconciliation

Neiphiu Rio during his address to the public at Dimapur Airport on May 24 last, stated that he as founder and a leader of the party has a right to question the internal workings of the party. He also mentioned that after the leadership crisis in the party in 2015, he had written to the party President on two different occasions for reconciliation in true letter and in spirit. Eastern Mirror was able to obtain the letters that were written on 22 August, 2015 by the then two MPs from Nagaland and the second one written by Neiphiu Rio, MP (LS) on 26 January 2016.