Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 25 (EMN): The NPF Youth Wing, which is currently staging an indefinite ‘peaceful dharna (sit-in protest) outside the Civil Secretariat Kohima, has issued a representation to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier on Wednesday that the youth wing would continue its dharna until the time the speaker issues “appropriate speaking orders as per rules”.
The youth wing reminded the speaker that the indefinite dharna was launched to register its protest against the illegality committed by the speaker’s office and frequently abusing the Constitution of India as well as the NLA rules and regulations. Stating that it was not convinced of the reasons cited by the speaker in his clarification issued on Oct. 23, the youth wing was of the view that the clarification was ‘just beating around the bush to confuse the general public’. It stated its view that the speaker should have passed appropriate order to the effect where he cited the reason for the pendency of the disqualification petition was the unfortunate demise of the petitioner (Kiyanilie Peseyie), which rendered the proceedings infructuous in the legal parlance.
On the appointment of Kuzholuzo Nienu as the leader of the NPF legislature party, the youth wing stated that the speaker’s explanation that the matter was under reference for legal opinion, was vague. It maintained that speaker Aier should have listed his queries for legal opinion as well as the date issued, to whom queries were sent and the time to furnish replies.
In view of the above, the NPF youth wing alleged that speaker is only delaying the process and does not consider the interest of the state as a whole. The representation was signed by NPF central youth wing president N. Vihoshe Swu and working president Bendangtoshi Longchar.
MP, MLAs respond to rival group’s ultimatum for reconciliation
Rajya Sabha MP and secretary general of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu-led Naga People’s Front (NPF), KG Kenye today scoffed at the rival NPF group led by Neiphiu Rio and TR Zeliang for serving 7 days ultimatum to the former to reconcile with them.
Speaking outside the Civil Secretariat Kohima where the NPF central youth wing are staging an indefinite dharna (sit-in protest) against the inaction of NLA speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier on several issues relating to the state assembly, Kenye said the rival group has no authority to call the genuine party to reconcile with them. Rather, it is the NPF party (led by Liezietsu) who has all the authority and liberty to judge if the expelled and suspended NPF members were fit to be reconciled with and include them into the party fold.
He also rubbished the rival group’s statement about reconciliation, stating, the Election Commission of India (ECI) letter dated Oct. 17 had never mentioned anything on reconciliation but clearly directed the party to convene a general convention and allow the active members of the party to decide the present political crisis.
On the chief whip and MLAs disqualification issue, Kenye is confident that once the NPF (on Liezietsu’s side) proved its legitimacy in the impending general convention, the issue would automatically be settled. He opined that the ECI, being the custodian and the guardian of every political party in the country, can never be influenced by ‘Rio and TR group’. He also said that the ECI, which knows thoroughly the constitution of NPF and understanding that there is a mechanism to resolve the present political crisis in Nagaland, had directed the party to convene a general convention and resolve the issue.
On the appointment of Yitachu as the new chief whip and Kuzholuzo Nienu as leader of the NPF legislature party, the MP said that these appointments were made by the president of the party and for which, it will stand scrutiny of any court of law. Towards this end, he demanded that the NLA speaker adjudicate justice to all the cases pending in his office at the earliest.
MLA Yitachu in his speech said the party was fighting not only for the rights of the present 10 NPF MLAs but for the MLAs who have joined the rival camp, for their future. Taking a dig on the resolution of the rival group which was stated to have been taken on Oct. 24, the MLA said the resolutions clearly showed the ‘nervousness’ of the rival group and that they have lost their way out.
“If they claim themselves as majority to take over the party, why they are asking Dr. Shürhozelie and the party to reconcile and join them,” Yitachu questioned. He asserted that Rio and Zeliang’s group knows that without Dr. Shürhozelie, they cannot proceed further.
He stated that the only way to salvage the future of the ‘rebel MLAs’ is for them to realize their mistake and return back to the party fold. However, he pointed, it is now purely upto the party leaders whether to accommodate them or not.
Also speaking on the occasion, MLA Thongwang Konyak said that the more trouble the rival group created, the stronger the party on this side will go on. He urged the party workers to stand firm, and also demanded that the speaker should perform his duty according to the rules laid down in the constitution of India and not to misuse the highest office.
MLA R Tohanba maintained that the NLA speaker can never escape by keeping the cases pending and that sooner or later, he (Aier) has to dispose the matter in whichever favour it may be. He also questioned that if TR Zeliang’s whip was genuine, why the speaker was yet to disqualify the 10 MLAs who voted against Zeliang’s whip.
