Unity cries fill NPF Special General Convention in Kohima
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, April 30
The internal wrangling within the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) which has been paralyzing the government functioning for almost four months will probably see a natural death with thousands of party workers and leaders along with the rebel group led by Noke Wangnao reiterating to stand firm behind the leadership of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and Chief Minister T R Zeliang. Adopting a seven-point resolution during the Special General Convention (SGC) of NPF held at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima today, the attendees, which was one of the highest turn-out in the last 12 years of any NPF conventions, including those from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh unanimously resolved to stand by their leadership and also declared that the unity and integrity of the NPF’s political and legislature parties are intact.
The resolution was adopted in conformity with Article XIV (Article XV – 7th Amendment) of the NPF Constitution and in compliance with the orders dated 27th March 2015 and 18th April of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The SGC declared that the Central Office bearers with Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu as the president of the NPF party as in the last General Convention held on November 26, 2014, is irrevocably valid for a period of five years commencing from January 2015. The NPF has reaffirmed its unequivocal and unconditional support to T. R. Zeliang as the Chief Minister of Nagaland.
The Convention also declared that all disputes, differences, conflicts and controversies created within the rank and file of the NPF’s political and legislature parties with the filing of a dispute before the ECI on January 22 last (Case No. 1 of 2015) has been resolved amicably in the overall interests of the party and the Government:
“The unity and integrity of the NPF’s political and legislature parties are intact,” the SGC further affirmed while also declaring rejection or denunciation stoutly and strongly any attempt to spilt the party for any reason whatsoever.
Further, the convention congratulated every active member assembled at the SGC for their unanimous decision in adopting the resolution reiterating the November 26, 2014 General Convention (election) of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu as the party president along with 47 other Central Office bearers.
The NPF convention also conveyed its gratitude to the ECI for directing the party to find recourse to its own constitutional provisions for amicably resolving the issue.
The resolution was introduced by Parliamentary Secretary School Education and Convenor resolution committee, Yitachu, which was subsequently passed by the mammoth gathering of party workers and leaders by raising hand.
Chaired by NPF working president Apong Pongener the convention commenced with pastor of Minister Hill Chekhesang Baptist Church Kohima, Rev. Vevo Phesao pronouncing the invocation. Working president Huska Yepthomi delivered the welcome address while special number was presented by a gospel team from Zunheboto division and vice president Pusazo Luruo tendered the vote of thanks.
Chief Minister T R Zeliang while expressing that the Naga People’s Front (NPF) has managed to cross dangerous hurdles during the long crisis of more than four months today called upon all to accept that bygones are bygones and work for the people in the spirit of ‘forgive and forget’.
Addressing a mammoth gathering of NPF leaders and party-workers during the Special General Convention at IG Stadium here, Zeliang said the general convention was summoned by the party as per the directive of the ECI following a petition filed by some of the dissident ‘colleagues’ to declare their group as the original NPF party and to allot them the ‘Cock’ symbol.
Stating that the convention is unique and marks a significant chapter in the annals of NPF party's history, he expressed happiness that in line with the advice tendered by the ECI, the party has already put into motion the reconciliation process.
“I do hope that this on-going reconciliation process will be successful, and that all forms of divisions or factionalism within the party will be effectively buried for good, never to be exhumed again in future,” he said.
"Reconciliation", he said is the most significant indication of life's maturity, while adding that it is the process of finding oneself in the most truthful way.
Expressing that ‘NPF is like a new wine in an old bottle’, he said NPF's predecessors had also kept the regional flag high and proud for nearly half a century. “We have been continuously adding to this rich political heritage,” he said adding that NPF being founded on faith, trust and labour of all the party men and women, will always remain strong and stable.
Zeliang claimed the party that NPF is not only the oldest, but the strongest and the most consistent regional party in the North East region.
At present, he said the NPF is also the only ruling regional party in the North East region excluding Sikkim, holding aloft the torch of regionalism in the North East. “We are the only Government in the North East region that is aligned with the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre,” he added.
“We (NPF) are the torch bearers of regionalism, which is very relevant, and will continue to be relevant, especially in the context of the North-East region,” he said adding that “NPF will be treated with care and respect by mainland India and the rest of the world, only if we firmly maintain our unique tribal and regional identity”.
Zeliang while mentioning few dangerous hurdles experienced by the NPF during 3 months of crisis said that “we could avoid imposition of President's Rule, freezing of our cock symbol, expulsion from the party and disqualification of MLAs, etc”.
He also hoped and prayed that such things are not repeated in the future of the NPF. The Chief Minister also urged the gathering to “accept that bygones are bygones and work for our people in the spirit of forgive and forget”.
He also reminded all party men and women, particularly the legislators, to re-commit themselves to the cause of peace and development; and not to lobby or fight for the loaves and fishes of office.
Expressing that Nagaland can have only 12 members in the Council of Ministers including Chief Minister, while there are only a limited number of Departments, especially the bigger departments, which everyone is eying for, he said “let us remember that we are here to serve the people of Nagaland, and not ourselves, or our respective constituencies and Districts alone”.
The Chief Minister also appealed the legislators to end all isms/divisions, disputes and conflicts in the spirit of "forgive and forget", with true reconciliation.
He also appealed all NPF men and women to be united, develop a common vision and bury petty differences so that they get more strength in their sinews to serve the common masses.
Dwelling on NPF’s commitment and highest priority to the peaceful resolution of the more than six decade-old Naga political issue in order to bring permanent peace in the State, Zeliang said, “Our political commitment to pave way, if need be, for any alternative arrangement to usher in peace and final resolution of the Naga political issue, remains firm and unshakeable”. He also justified that with a view to strengthen the collective efforts towards this goal, the NPF is even open to the idea of a consensus Government, or opposition-less Government in the State.
Apparently disturbed by the four-month old crisis within the party, Naga People’s Front (NPF) president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu today sent out a strong warning against any such move while stating that those failing to understand the reality and purpose of NPF party in depth will have no place in the party in future.
In his address during the Special General Convention of NPF at IG Stadium here, the NPF supremo said, “We have started the reconciliation process as per the desire of the public as well as the Election Commission of India”.
Stating that concerned leaders met in Kohima and agreed in principle for reconciliation, he said, “We have realised that concessions have to be made in the interest of the party’s future and also for the interest of our people”.
Therefore, he said, “We can safely conclude that we have reconciled already”. The veteran regionalist said, “We have done lot of damages to the fair name of our party which our elders built with tears and sweats and it is time for all of use to come together and heal the wounds”.
Urging all to accept ‘reconciliation’ in its true spirit and rededicate themselves to cover up the damages that the present NPF has done to itself, Dr. Shürhozelie however cautioned “those who failed to understand the reality of purpose of the NPF party in depth, I will have no regret to grant them leave in future”.
Expressing that the first and foremost priority of the party is solution to the Naga political problem, he said, “We need this badly in order to have peace because without peace, no development in any form can take place”.
Expressing that alongside the concern for solution to the Naga political issue for the future development of the State, he said, “We have to see that the system is brought back to the society for economic growth and if needed strong-hands must be applied for achieving the goal”.
Meanwhile, leader of the erstwhile dissident group Noke Wangnao declared that forgetting the difference which had cropped up in the party they too reaffirmed the November 26, 2014 election of president and other office bearers in the true spirit of reconciliation.
Noke however highlighted the circumstance which led to the present crisis while also washing off his hands stating that he never wanted to be the Chief Minister or NPF president but circumstances compelled with the members of the dissident group and also ENPO forcing him to take the leadership. “I did not commit and I did not want to be CM or president,” he confessed.
Nonetheless, he said having unanimously elected TR Zeliang as the Chief Minister, as the senior-most elected representative of the regional party, “I had urged Zeliang and Shürhozelie to maintain status quo, which was not accepted and subsequently non-maintenance of status-quo was also not acceptable for the dissident legislators”.
Nevertheless, highlighting the chronology of events, he said ‘but now God has saved us and reconciliation process is in progress.’
Appreciating the huge turn-out in today’s convention, Noke recalled that the regional party has suffered while not in power and therefore called upon the party men and women to remain steadfast and committed to the party not only in good times but in all situations.
Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland, Khekiho Zhimomi wished that now on every dust settles down and the party would look towards a new horizon.
