DCC Mokokchung denies leadership rift and alleges forged signatures in resignation list.
MOKOKCHUNG — The District Congress Committee (DCC) Mokokchung on Wednesday denied reports of an internal leadership crisis following claims of en masse resignations by party office-bearers and workers, alleging that several signatures in the resignation document were forged.
Addressing a press conference at the DCC Bhavan in Mokokchung, DCC Vice-President Nukshi I Ozukum said a detailed investigation into the matter is underway. He said the committee has already identified at least 12 individuals whose signatures were allegedly forged or whose names were included without their consent or knowledge.
“The DCC strongly condemns this act,” Ozukum stated, vowing that the committee would pursue the issue “till the end". He added that further instances of irregularities could surface as the probe continues.
Three individuals whose names appeared in the resignation list attended the press conference and denied any involvement. They said they had no prior information about the purported resignations and maintained that their signatures had been forged. They also expressed concern over being included in the controversy without their permission.
Also read: Mokokchung Congress leaders resign en masse from party
Responding to allegations that the DCC Mokokchung president was removed prematurely, Ozukum said the leadership change was part of a wider organisational restructuring initiated by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
He said that during a meeting in Ahmedabad last year, the AICC informed party leaders that organisational changes could be implemented at any time in preparation for the 2029 elections. According to him, the decision followed a comprehensive evaluation conducted by an AICC observer.
Ozukum said the former DCC president did not meet the required eligibility criteria, particularly the age limit, as he was above 70 years. He added that the move was not limited to Mokokchung but was part of a nationwide effort to strengthen and revitalise the Congress organisation.
He also said all frontal organisations of the Congress in the Mokokchung district remain fully operational and unaffected.
The clarification came after reports that 61 office-bearers and workers of the Indian National Congress from Mokokchung district had submitted a collective resignation from their party positions and primary membership. The resignations reportedly cited “autocratic functioning” and “mismanagement” by the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) leadership.