DIMAPUR, FEB 22 (MExN): Following the decision of the Returning Officer to reject the candidature of the BJP on ‘technical grounds’ for the 54 Tuensang Sadar-II Bye-Election slated for March 8, the State unit of the BJP has decided not to contest the ensuing elections from Tuensang despite its official candidate Y. Wongto getting the opportunity to contest as an Independent candidate. This decision of the BJP not to involve itself in the Tuensang Bye-Election comes in the backdrop of serious allegations that the party’s observer, Kughavi Achumi who reportedly went missing on the day of scrutiny of nominations, was made to sign a bond at gunpoint by unidentified gunmen numbering around seven at a place called Halipong, a few kilometers away from Tuensang town. Earlier, Achumi who is the BJP Morcha (ST) President, had mysteriously disappeared and his whereabouts unknown till today morning. BJP sources informed that Achumi returned home to Dimapur today after going through a harrowing experience including his abduction at the hands of unidentified gunmen. It was informed that Achumi was made to sign a bond wherein the BJP was told to stay off the election in Tuensang and that the party should not send its candidate for the bye-election.
Top brass of the BJP told The Morung Express that the entire episode was extremely unfortunate and the party suspected a deep rooted conspiracy and the involvement of outside elements. It was informed that the party will be discussing the next course of action at an executive meeting tomorrow.
