NPF units come out it defence of Party President, CM
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 26
With the infighting in the Naga People’s Front (NPF) re-ignited in the aftermath of the suspension of former Chief Minister and the lone Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Neiphiu Rio from active and primary membership of the party, political sparring over the issue has surfaced with allegation and counter-allegation from the belligerent sides.
Rio, who was suspended for alleged ‘anti-party activities' on May 17, returned to the State on May 24 and in open defiance of the suspension, stated that he was not "afraid to speak and work for truth".
Other political leaders including Thenucho, MLA Thomas Ngullie, and others have also questioned the NPF president as well as the antecedents of the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang. Several other writings have also surfaced in local media either questioning the suspension or challenging current leadership of the NPF Party.
Reacting to the speeches made by Neiphiu Rio MP Nagland, Thenucho Tunyi, N. Thomas Ngullie, and others at the reception at Dimapur Airport on May 24, the NPF Central Women’s Wing said tthat “Rio will keep misleading the general public.”
“How can Rio say that Chief Minister T. R Zeliang is sabotaging the Naga issue? Does he mean to say that bringing all the 60 Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to support the frame Work Agreement and resolved to pressure for an early solution is sabotage?” the Women Wing asked in a series of posers in a press statement issued by its president Tonlih Wangsa and press secretary, Kerei Pfukha.
“The intention of the present Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang is quite and positive towards the Naga Political Issue… and the Party President Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu who is also the DAN Chairman is also fully committed to the Peace Process,” it noted.
Regarding Thomas Ngullie's speech, it maintained that is clear that “he doesn’t know the word sub-judice” and also reminded him that, “Rio's fake certificate is also questionable.
If you want Chief Minister to display his certificate, why not ask the same question to Rio on his “fake certificate,” it further instigated.
Meanwhile, the NPF Kohima Division has reacted strongly to several write-ups which have appeared in the local dailies in the aftermath of the suspension of Rio’s suspension.
“Sheer venom bordering to libelous and oftentimes defamatory allegations have been made against party President Dr. Shürhozelie and the Chief Minister TR Zeliang,” necessitating a rejoinder, the Division president Guonei-U Sirie and press secretary Alo Yakhro maintained in a press statement.
Giving a point-to-point rebuttal to the various write-ups, the Division denied the accusation that that party president was “prejudiced and narrow-minded” whose heart is “Tenyimia-centric.”
“Was such a tag given to him when he, as party President, supported Rio in 2004 revolt against N. Rio’s leadership by the majority of the NPF Legislators,” it said.
“If the party President’s Decision to ensure a stable Government by supporting TR Zeliang is wrong now, his decision to ensure Rio’s Ministry during DAN-I too surely must be wrong,” the division retorted.
About the reconciliation with the party, it said, “Reconciliation within the NPF party is being talked about by these very same people as if it is a one-way traffic: as if the present leadership should forgive and forget while the former dissident group and the ring leaders should continue to do their best to topple the party-led Government at every given opportunity.”
Justifying the expulsion, the division further said that “concerned citizen” not part of any political party may be forgiven for their ignorance about the functioning of a political party said but said, “Every Organisation even in a village have by-laws and constitution to follow.”
NPF, as a responsible political party, has rigid set rules and regulations to guide it extreme measures taken by the party after thorough deliberations by the party leaders, it maintained.
“While voicing out one’s opinions in the media, it will be only fair that arguments should be based on truth and points supported by facts.”
One should keep in mind that this is not a personal battle between individuals, but having to do with principles and ideologies, and personal attacks should be avoided as far as possible, it said.
The NPF 10th N/A-1 A/C reacting to seriously numerous counter-views expressed in the local dailies over recent suspension said that “facts and reality” had been repeatedly misinterpreted.
Taking serious note of all those harsh personal and improper vocabulary directed against the NPF Party President, the NPF 10th N/A-1 A/C the President, Keduolhoutuo Rutsa Solo and General Secretary Thehiechulie Louis in a press note said that the suspension of Rio has no personal reasons or connection with the party President but purely a party decision.
All Political party has its Constitution as its guiding force. It is the prerogative of the Party President to act, on the recommendation put forward by Disciplinary Action Committee of the party, based on the Party Constitution. The NPF 10th Northern Angami-1 A/C fully support and endorse the decision of the Party, it added.
It further said that the suspension has no connection to the Naga Peace process. The two are completely different issues. “One is NPF Party issue, whereas the other concerns the larger aspiration of the Naga people… Naga Peace Process of an honorable solution is the ultimate aim and goal of the NPF party which time and again is expressed by the Party President.”
Further arguing that NPF political party is one of the oldest Regional parties in the North-Eas, it maintained that the attribution to Rio as the founder of NPF Party is “distortion of history.”
While maintaining that as NPF Party President as a public leader in his own right cannot escape public criticism, it cautioned against “blind critics” who spread unfounded propagandas to malign his personality.
“The NPF 10th N/A-1 would, therefore, hold them accountable and responsible for spreading false facts and information, thereby creating tensions and division in the Naga Society.”
