Dimapur, January 29 (MExN): The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has refuted a news item that appeared in one of the Dimapur based English newspaper dated January 29, under the headline “Rio to pave way for TR Zeliang as Chief Minister.”
The CMO in a rejoinder issued to the media termed the news item as “purely speculative” and that the “CMO source mentioned in the news item is not valid.” While stating that “the contents of the news item are all speculative as no genuine source is mentioned,” it further added that “the news item quoting CMO source is denied and it is clarified that the information quoting the CMO is not true.”
“The baseless allegation that the CM is trying to escape corruption charges is condemned. It may be pointed out that in more than ten years of chief ministership, the Chief Minister has not faced any corruption charge and therefore the question of escaping such charges just does not arise”, the CMO stated.
It also stated that in so far as the NPF candidate for the Lok Sabha election and related political steps to be taken are concerned, the decisions would be taken by the “honorable members and the party.”
“While we respect the freedom of the press and expression of free opinion, it is felt that the publication of such unauthenticated news item based on mere speculation is negative and damaging”, the CMO stated.
