Kohima, January 14 (MExN): The Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) has, in principle, agreed to withdraw the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by it in the Supreme Court.
A press release from the JACWR Convenor Abeiu Meru and Co-Convenor Dr. Rosemary Dzuvichu stated today that the decision of the Nagaland State Government to hold elections with reservation for women has made the case filed in the Supreme Court “infructuous” or fruitless.
So, “to reciprocate the gesture” of the State Government and “to allay the fears of tribal organisations that the case filed by us in the Supreme Court would infringe on Article 371 A of the Constitution of India,” the JACWR has agreed to the “appeal of the Chief Minister” made to JACWR members at an emergency meeting at his residence at Dimapur today to “withdraw the SLP filed by us in the Supreme Court, provided the ongoing process of elections to the ULBs could be completed as notified by the State Government.”
The Committee once again expressed pain at the course of events that have succeeded the announcement of polls to the ULBs in Nagaland State with 33% seats reserved for women. It reiterated that Article 243 T with reservations for women, and as enacted in 2006 by the State Assembly in the 1st Amendment to the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, does not infringe on Article 371 A or go against the customary and social practices of the Nagas since towns and municipalities are not traditional concepts or institutions for the Naga people.
The JACWR also appealed to all tribe based organisations to “desist from using threats and intimidations to banish, expel, excommunicate anyone, and to let the due process of elections to the ULBs be allowed to be completely without any untoward incident or ill feeling.”
Nil withdrawals on Jan 14
Meanwhile, no withdrawal of candidates was reported on January 14 for the Nagaland Municipal Elections. It may be noted that January 14 is a second Saturday. All together 53 candidates have withdrawn so far. The last date for withdrawal of candidates is on January 17.
Nagaland ULB Polls: NPF to take stern action against withdrawing candidates Candidates who have filed nomination papers for the upcoming elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Nagaland State are facing a tightening noose.
Amidst the ongoing call to withdraw nominations by various tribe based and urban organizations, the Naga People’s Front has now decided to initiate “stern disciplinary action” against candidates who withdraw their nomination papers.
The NPF adopted this resolution at a meeting of all NPF officials held at NPF President Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu’s residence in Kohima today.
The party expressed “dismay” over the “use of force” by some organizations in “preventing some of the NPF Ticket holders in filing their nomination papers.” It appealed to the Naga Hoho, ENPO, all tribe Hohos and the citizens of Nagaland to “cooperate and support” the Government’s decision to conduct the elections.
A press release from NPF Working President Apong Pongener also clarified that NPF tickets for the upcoming elections were “given to Primary and Active membership holders of the party after administering pledge and therefore no NPF Ticket holder should withdraw from the fray.”
“Stern disciplinary action shall be initiated against those candidates who withdraw their nomination papers,” it stated. The NPF also reiterated that it “shall go ahead with the election as per the schedule announced by the State Election Commission.”
Nuklutoshi is a legally appointed Minister: NPF
The NPF has taken strong exception to the Ao Senden’s usage of the term “so call (sic) Minister” that it applied to Nagaland State Cabinet Minister Nuklutoshi while “debarring” him from entering Ao territory.
A press note from NPF President Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu today reminded that Nuklotoshi was elected from 22-Arkakong Assembly Constituency in 2013 General Election in Nagaland by securing 8,544 votes defeating his nearest rival by a margin of over 1000 votes. He was appointed as a Cabinet Minister by the Governor of Nagaland under the recommendation the Chief Minister. Oaths of Allegiance and Secrecy were administered to him by the Governor of Nagaland on May 24, 2014 at Raj Bhavan, Kohima. Since then, he has been discharging his duties as a Cabinet Minister holding the portfolios of National Highway and Mechanical Departments. All these steps were taken up strictly as per the provisions of Article 164 (1) of the Constitution of India.
Noting that Nuklutoshi is a “legally appointed Minister,” the NPF President stated that Nuklutoshi has been “performing his duties as a Minister (as per) the decision of the Government to conduct Municipal and Town Elections.”
“Any one (who) calls him ‘so-called Minister’ is expressing not only to disgrace Minister Nuklotoshi but more serious is that it challenges the validity of the Indian Constitution. As a result, the expression has become illegal,” stated the NPF President.
Further, he suggested that if this was done “intentionally,” it will be viewed seriously, but if it was a “mistake” done as a result of emotions, then the “best course” for Ao Senden would be to “withdraw the resolution” as “tendering apology” in such a case “is not sufficient.”
