Dimapur, Jan. 14: The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has decided to go ahead with the municipal and town council elections notwithstanding opposition from some community organisations. The political party’s candidates have been directed by their high command to not withdraw their nominations.
The NPF issued a press release on Saturday expressing dismay at the use of force by some organisations to prevent candidates from filing nominations.
A meeting of all NPF officials was convened on January 14 in Kohima town in the residence of the party’s President Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, it was informed. The meeting “took stock of the situation” arising out of the forthcoming municipal and town council elections in Nagaland, the party stated.
The party explained that the tickets of the NPF were given to primary and active members after administering a pledge. “...therefore no NPF ticket holder should withdraw from the fray. Stern disciplinary action shall be initiated against those candidates who withdraw their nomination papers,” the press release stated.
“The NPF shall go ahead with the election as per the schedule announced by the State Election Commission.”
Further, the NPF expressed dismay at the ‘use of force’ by some organisations in preventing ‘some of the NPF ticket holders’ in filing their nomination papers. The NPF has appealed to the Naga Hoho, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, and all tribal organisations and the citizens of Nagaland to support the government’s decision to conduct the elections to the urban local bodies.The press release was appended by Apong Pongener, the party’s working president.
Party asks Senden to study ‘excommunication’ of minister
The NPF has also issued a statement noting the use of “so call(ed)” in stating the designation and official role of Minister for PWD (National Highways), Mechanical and Elections, Nuklutoshi Longkumer.
The president of the party, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, issued a letter on Saturday noting the Ao Senden’s resolution censuring said minister.
“The first part of the resolution says, ‘…Mr. Nuklotoshi, the so call (sic) Minister of Nagaland, and the last part of the resolution says that Mr. Nuklotoshi was debarred from entering Ao territory…’” the NPF president began.
The press release stated that the minister was elected from the 22-Arkakong Assembly Constituency in 2013 by securing 8,544 votes defeating his nearest rival by a margin of over 1000 votes.
“He was appointed as a Cabinet Minister by the governor of Nagaland under the recommendation the chief minister. Oaths of Allegiance and Secrecy was administered to him by the Governor of Nagaland on 24th May, 2014 at Raj Bhavan, Kohima,” the NPF stated.
Since then, it said, he has been discharging his duties as a Cabinet Minister holding the portfolios of National Highway and Mechanical departments. All these steps were taken up strictly as per the provisions of Article 164 (1) of the Constitution of India, the NPF president stated.
Therefore, the NPF stated, Nuklotoshi is a legally-appointed minister. “Any one calls him ‘so-called minister’ is an expressing (sic) not only to disgrace Minister Nuklotoshi but the more serious is that it a challenges the validity of the Indian Constitution. As a result, the expression has become illegal,” the press release stated, adding that he was performing his duties as a minister the decision of the government to conduct the municipal and town elections.
“If this is done intentionally, this will be viewed with all seriousness. But if this mistake is done emotionally, the best course for Ao (Senden) to withdraw the resolution. Because in a serious case of this nature, tendering apology is not sufficient to cover up the mistake,” the note added.
The Eastern Nagaland people’s organisation (ENPO) has decided to oppose the elections to the municipal and town councils, although “in principle.” The organisation has also directed its tribal units to abstain from participating in the elections and that the intending candidates are to withdraw their nomination on or before the 17th.
The ENPO issued a press release on Saturday informing about consultations with its tribal constituents on January 14 in Tuensang.
The organisations deliberated at length matters pertaining to the municipal elections in Nagaland. The members present felt that “accepting central act of parliament at its present status form infringes our vibrant and old-age traditions and customary practices...” the press release stated.
The state government has also failed to satisfy the clarification sought by the ENPO in this regard too, the press release stated.
“Therefore, the house resolved to oppose ULBs election (in principle) within ENPO Jurisdiction and hereby, appeal to all six federating tribal units to abstain from participating in the municipal and town council election and directed all concern intending candidates to withdraw their nomination on or before 17. Jan, 2017 since it has serious legal implications upon the spent of Article 371A,” the statement said.
Any individual under the ENPO participating in said elections shall be doing so at their own risk and responsibility, the press release added.
Further, the ENPO stated that the house resolved to appeal to the Nagaland state government to indefinitely postpone the proposed urban local body elections in the “larger interest of Naga people” till “consensus decision of the Naga civil societies of Nagaland.”
Likewise, the ENPO has “fervently appeal” to the Eastern Naga Women Organisation to “immediately withdraw” from the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation “in the larger interest of the public.”
The ENPO shall not be responsible “for any future consequences and implications resulting out from non-compliance of the aforesaid appeal,” it added.
