NPF councillors reconcile differences, halting proposed trust vote against DMC chairperson Hukheto Yepthomi amid political tensions
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DIMAPUR — A week after a no-confidence motion plunged the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) into a political crisis, the elected councillors of Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Wednesday announced that they had reconciled their differences and decided to withdraw the proposed trust vote against chairperson Hukheto Yepthomi.
In a press release issued on behalf of the elected NPF councillors of DMC, chairperson Hukheto Yepthomi and deputy chairperson Imlinaro Stephanie Ezung stated that the decision was taken following the intervention of the party leadership.
“We have taken the unconditional decision to reconcile our differences and misunderstandings in the greater interest of the unity of the party and in the interest of our commitment to serve the public and the citizens of Dimapur city,” the statement read.
The councillors also acknowledged the role played by the NPF leadership, particularly party president and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, in facilitating the reconciliation process.
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“We accept the guidance for unity, reconciliation and oneness and remain committed to serve the public to who we have given our solemn commitments before seeking their mandate,” the release stated.
The councillors further said that, following the reconciliation, there was “no need to carry out any trust vote” and that the authorities concerned had been officially informed to call off the proposed floor test.
The development comes days after the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, formally admitted a no-confidence motion against Yepthomi and convened a special meeting of elected members for May 22 to consider the motion.
In a notice issued on May 14, the DC stated that the motion, submitted on May 11, was found to be in conformity with the procedural and substantive requirements under the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023.
The motion had reportedly been signed by 12 of the 23 elected members of the DMC.
The special meeting was scheduled to be held at the DMC office at 11 am on May 22, with only elected members eligible to participate in the proceedings.
The no-confidence motion had exposed growing divisions within the ruling coalition in the civic body.
The dissident camp reportedly comprised six BJP councillors and six NPF councillors led by deputy chairperson Imlinaro Stephanie Ezung.
On May 19, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton backed the allocation of portfolios to BJP councillors in DMC, saying alliance partners under the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) should work together and share responsibilities in municipal bodies.