Kohima, August 9 (MExN): President of the Naga People’s Front, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Wednesday stated that TR Zeliang and Neiphiu Rio are trying to dismantle the NPF party through backdoor
The former Chief Minister was speaking on his felicitation programme on being elected to the 10th Northern Angami AC by-election organized by the NPF Kohima Division here at the Central Office.
Liezietsu further called on the party leaders to take the present crisis as a challenge explaining that politics has its ups and downs. This rough period is a time to test a leader’s sincerity and integrity towards the party, he maintained and further expressed hope that in the coming 2018 general election, the party will have a peaceful election “with only the good leaders”.
Also speaking on the occasion, MLA, Dr. Chotisuh Sazo said that Dr. Shürhozelie winning the bye-election is a win for all the Naga people who stand for truth. In this regard, Sazo urged the party leaders to stand firm. During the programme, the NPF central vice president, ZakuTsükrü and Farmers Wing president, Lanukaba also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, the programe was chaired by Kohima Division, Working President, KesoneilieTheünuo, the Kohima Division president, Gonei-u Sirie gave an introductory speech while invocation prayer was said by Kohima Division, Farmers Wing Vice President, Vilhuorie Mor and NPF Band enthralled the gathering with the songs.
'Cock party a Naga heritage'
Meanwhile, the NPF Central has stated that the Cock party is a “Naga political heritage” which should be preserved, protected and promoted to be handed down to the younger Naga generation.
The NPF Central through its Media & Press Bureau reproduced a lengthy narrative on the present political crisis. It narrated on how the NPF won the General Assembly elections in 2013 and later in 2014, then Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio left state politics to become Lok Sabha MP “much against the wishes of the party” leading to TR Zeliang becoming CM.
The NPF Central also recalled the “infamous Sovima camp episode” of 2015 wherein a group of NPF legislators projected Kaito Aye as the Chief Minister. “The NPF party with its Cock symbol came under attack and the issue was taken up to the Election Commission of India whereby, the ECI directed both the warring parties to reconcile under the provisions of NPF party constitution,” it stated.
Pointing to the imbroglio arising out of the ULB elections which ultimately led to Zeliang having to abdicate the chair of the Chief Minister, the NPF Central alleged that Zeliang had to step down at the “behest and instigation” of Rio.
“For the first time in the political history of the Nagas, the town and cities of Nagaland came under complete siege, where government-registered vehicles and government officials could not even move out of their homes,” it reflected.
The NPF Central further blamed Zeliang for the “total destruction” of Shurhozelie and Rio’s relationship while claiming that Zeliang had pulled out “tricks” from up his sleeves to prevent the revocation of Rio’s suspension.
After the total destruction of Dr. Shurhozelie and Rio’s relationship, Zeliang began to build bridges with Rio to again destroy the NPF party, it added.
In this regard, the NPF Central called on Zeliang and Rio to clarify their position for people to know the truth.
