DIMAPUR, AUGUST 28 (MExN): It is now again the turn of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) to react to the statement of the NPF appearing in the local dailies on August 28 wherein the latter had blamed Opposition Leader I Imkong for the Office of Profit controversy. Clarifying its position, the NPCC observed that Congress Legislators did not file the petition against Neiphiu Rio for being the Chief Minister but against the extra offices held by Chief Minister such as Chairman of Bamboo Mission and President Nagaland Sports Council, the appointment for which was made by the State Government and attracts the provision of law for holding of ‘Office of Profit’, stated Zhenito, Secretary, Media Cell, NPCC in a press communiqué.
While pointing out that it was the DAN conglomerate’s MLAs filing a petition against I Imkong demanding disqualification for holding office of the Leader of Opposition, the NPCC stated that the Congress party petition against Chief Minister was to uphold the rule of law whereas the NPF had filed against the office of the Leader of Opposition purely on ulterior motive to personalize the issue against I Imkong.
“This has exposed the vindictive mind of the NPF led DAN Government and their ignorance of law. The NPCC once again reminds the NPF-led DAN conglomerate that in a democratic system of Government, the role of an Opposition cannot be ignored and the Opposition Leader’s Office cannot be treated as Office of Profit and in this connection the Election Commission of India (ECI) has rightly delivered its verdict”.
The NPCC also accused the DAN cabinet of showing ill-motive towards the Opposition Leader as they withdrew the State Cabinet decision to exempt the office of Opposition Leader from the Office of Profit.
If the Congress was serious, it stated, the party could have gone against the DAN MLAs who were appointed by the State Government as chairmen of various corporations. “We have restraint ourselves to include them in the issue of Office of Profit for disqualification”, the NPCC maintained.
“While respecting the wisdom of the ECI in the recent decision on the Leader of Opposition Office not as Office of Profit, the NPCC has nothing to comment at the moment on the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio for holding extra Offices of Profit but advice the NPF not to be emotional in exposing their intention before the final verdict is pronounced”.
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