Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 30 (EMN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) party on Saturday termed the joining of its 21 MLAs with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) as “defection” and not “merger” as it was done without the knowledge of the party.
“They (21 MLAs) have done it on their own. To be very frank, it is not a merger. They had joined NDPP, and on our part, it is a clear defection,” NPF President Shürhozielie Liezietsu said at a press conference held at his residence in Kohima.
The remark came a day after the 21 NPF legislators led by the leader of NPF legislature party and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Chairman TR Zeliang, joined the NDPP ahead of the state assembly polls due next year.
Liezietsu said that “going away of the 21 MLAs came as a shock to many people. But to some of us, it came earlier than expected. So, it is not actually a surprise for the party”.
‘Till yesterday (April 29), we had 25 MLAs and 21 of them had gone; that was brought to our notice. But we have four heroes of this party and we are very happy for them,’ he said.
He added that the party will “examine whether it will be proper” to take in the 21 MLAs in case they come back. For now, it is very difficult to talk about it, he added.
The party also assured to take its own course of action against the 21 legislators.
The four remaining NPF MLAs, who didn’t defect, are Khriehu Liezietsu, Kuzholuzo Nienu, Kezhienyi Khalo and Dr. Nganshi K Ao.
Secretary General of NPF, Achumbemo Kikon also said the question of merger does not arise.
‘Party neither endorses nor agrees to the 21 MLAs joining NDPP. The party has not been consulted, and therefore the question of merger does not arise; it is purely defection,’ he said.
‘NPF will come back stronger’
The party chief said the NPF wants to start on a “firm foundation” with people who are holding the party’s principles, ‘those who understand and keep their stature’.
“Even if the number of MLAs is reduced to four, we are not discouraged. Because, with these four strong people, we will revamp and re-activate our party activities,” Liezietsu said, adding that there is still time to prepare for the upcoming state assembly election.
“We will reactivate the party activities and we are hopeful that we can do it; we can achieve it. People are with us, the church is with us, and even the national workers are with us. We feel that we can make it,” he said.
“We will come back stronger”, Liezietsu added.
Meanwhile, MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu said that the party had faced a “much bigger crisis” in the past. He went on to state that in 2002, there was not a single NPF MLA but the party came to power in 2003.
‘In 2017, all the MLAs left the party except Khriehu Liezietsu and me but we took back power. Perhaps, NPF will come back stronger,’ he asserted.
The party also hinted that the public can expect new faces in the days to come.
‘Party is intact’
Liezietsu didn’t rule out some of supporters of the 21 MLAs resigning from the party in the days to come but he said it won’t come as a surprise.
‘From all angles, the party is intact. As far as the party organisation is concerned, we are intact. Therefore, we hope to build up the party without much time,’ he said.
Nienu said the party will be a part of the UDA government as they had come together as an all-party government because of the Naga political issue.
“As long as this issue (Naga political issue) is there, we will be a part of the government. But, that’s the prerogative of the chief minister. If he wants to have us, we are with him; if he says he doesn’t want us in the ministry, we have to back out,” he said.
“What made them (21 MLAs) take this move (of joining NDPP), we are also a little bit confused. Nevertheless, we wish them all the best,” he added.
NPF president Liezietsu also pointed out that ‘remaining in the UDA government for political reasons; moving to another party for the same reason does not arise. It has got no meaning’.
He further stated that as a political party, the NPF is “very clear” about its stand on the Naga political problem.
‘As for NPF, we meant it. But, we only act as facilitators since we are not the main parties/ conflicting parties. Therefore, our job is to appeal to the conflicting parties to understand the situation and to listen to the voice of the Naga people. Till such time the political solution comes; we will talk the same thing because Naga people want peace,’ he said.
‘UDA chairman, minister berth belongs to NPF’
The NPF also claimed that the two posts -- UDA chairman and a ministerial berth -- “belongs” to the party and the government of the day must “give back” even as in-charges had joined NDPP.
Earlier, the UDA government gave one ministerial post and UDA chairman to the NPF legislators.
With all the NPF members of the core committee on Naga political issue having joined the NDPP, the party has decided to induct its remaining four MLAs as members of the committee.
“Our staying there will continue because our MLAs are staying there for political reasons,” Liezietsu said.
‘Whatever changes may be taking place in the party and the politics, the political reasons do not change. Therefore, with that view, the four NPF MLAs will continue to be the members of the UDA government,’ he added.
He went on to say that he would bring the matter to the notice of the government and take the issue with the chief minister that NPF “deserves to get it (two posts) back”.
The NPF MLAs who joined the NDPP are TR Zeliang, Moatoshi Longkumer, Azheto Zhimomi, Keneizhakho Nakhro, Y Vikheho Swu, Dr. Chotisuh Sazo, Yitachu, Amenba Yaden, Imtiwapang Aier, Imkong L Imchen, Picto Shohe, Dr. Chumben Murry, YM Yollow, CL John, N Thongwang Konyak, Eshak Konyak, EE Panteang, BS Nganlang Phom, Muthingnyuba Sangtam, Toyang Chang, and Kejong Chang.