Dimapur, November 4 (MExN): The former office bearers of Dimapur district Congress unit, who recently resigned from Congress and joined the Naga People’s Front (NPF) led by Neiphiu Rio, today refuted the claims made by Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) Media Cell in its statement published on November 3.
The former Congress officials through a rejoinder from Hollohon Chishi, former general secretary (Adm), Dimapur District Congress Committee (DDCC) meanwhile “attacked the unprecedented act and autocratic functioning of the NPCC President.”
With regard to “non performance” in 2013 assembly election, the rejoinder pointed out that Dimapur district produced two Congress MLAs out of five seats. “Despite being in the opposition since 2003, DDCC performed exceedingly well in 2013…therefore, party workers under former DDCC President were in fact satisfied with the poll performance as some other district could not garner even one single seat,” it maintained.
On the ULB election, the former Congress officials said despite the call of the Nagas to postpone the election, NPCC president went ahead in declaring the election manifesto even before the ruling government released its manifesto. “The ULB election was supposed to be the first battle since the taking over of NPCC President by K. Therie, but no intending candidates came forward to contest from Congress ticket at Kohima Municipal Council and Mokokchung Municipal Council. This clearly indicates the un-acceptance of his leadership,” they claimed.
The rejoinder stated the Dimapur District Congress Committee put up four candidates for DMC who stuck to their candidature till January 17, 2017 and subsequently withdrew on the last date of withdrawal. However, the candidates under the NPCC president’s constituency were asked to withdraw on January 11, 2017, it said. “Thus, blaming the DDCC for withdrawing the candidature is baseless and ridiculous.”
Regarding the directive from AICC to revamp the party, it alleged that the NPCC president along with working president and general secretary went to Guwahati and met Dr. C.P. Joshi, AICC general secretary I/c of Nagaland to seek permission to expel/suspend and change some of the party workers but was denied by AICC.
“Instead, the party workers took a decision not to remain under the leadership of autocratic functioning and dictatorial attitude of NPCC President,” according to the rejoinder. “When everything was set and we were supposed to hold a press conference at 2:00 pm on 1st of November 2017, we received a call from senior leaders requesting us to put on hold the press conference till 5:00 pm as Rahul’s Office will be taking a decision by way of revoking the order of NPCC President,” it added.
In this light, it termed the NPCC Media Cell’s “propaganda” as “ridiculous and baseless”.
As far as setting up of the fresh team of DDCC is concerned, the former Congress officials wished them all the best and hoped that they bring laurels to the Congress party and perform better.
Responding to the allegations of “turncoats and deadwoods”, they meanwhile noted that the party workers of DDCC produced four MLAs out of 5 in 2008 and two MLAs in 2013.
