By Tokheho
In view of the numerous confusions and accusations that has appeared in the local dailies and various social media platforms, I am constrained to issue the following clarifications:
1. That, I was not present in Parliament on the 8th of January 2019 when the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 was put to vote, and therefore I did not vote for the said Bill as has been misconstrued by the opposition party and many other individuals. In this context, the question of me withdrawing my vote does not arise. On the day the Bill went to vote, I was in Zunheboto as I had to attend the DISHA committee quarterly meeting on the 7th of January 2019 which has also been reported in the local dailies on the 9th& 10th of January 2019.
2. It is most unfortunate that without ascertaining the actual facts of the matter, I have been accused led by the opposition party Naga People’s Front and its leaders to put blame on me. It is nothing new that the opposition party often jumps to conclusion with eyes closed to attack the ruling government just so as to earn credit before the eyes of the people. However, in the present case, it is unbecoming of a responsible political party like the NPF to have blindly attacked me without knowing the actual facts. It is to be stated that I do not just represent my party in the Lower House of Parliament, but is there to represent the people of Nagaland, cutting across party lines and affiliation.
3. It is also to put on record that as one of the veteran politicians in the state, I will never intentionally or unintentionally try and jeopardise the rights and privileges of the people of the state. Indeed, I am grateful to the people for having reposed their confidence in me by giving me the opportunity to represent the people of Nagaland to the lone seat in the country’s Lower House of parliament and will continue to work tirelessly for the welfare and development of the State.
4. In view of these facts, the opposition party and all others who have unjustly accused me should rethink their statements and publicly put the records straight before the people who have been misled by these false and defaming statements and accusations.
