Says procedure not followed over “unceremonious sacking”
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 5
A week after he was stripped of the Labour & Employment and Border Affairs portfolio, former Parliamentary Secretary, Mmhonlumo Kikon made the first public appearance in Dimapur on November 4. Kikon, who landed in Dimapur from Delhi today, was greeted at the airport by sympathisers to subsequently address an impromptu gathering of supporters at his residence.
Kikon was discreet and guarded while responding to queries from a section of the media regarding the possible reason(s) behind his unceremonious sacking on October 28. According to Kikon, he was in the midst of a summit in Itanagar the day the order of his removal came out. He said that the reports of his dismissal started circulating in social media before the letter reached him only to read it on the papers the next day.
“Normally, the person in concern is asked to submit his resignation. This procedure was not followed. It was unceremonious. They’ve not bothered to even call me till date.”
When prodded on the reasons for his sacking, he responded that apart from the CMO briefing the state BJP president, no other intimations have been given.
Downplaying his Delhi-visit, he said that he was already scheduled to address a conference of the Lotha Students’ Union Delhi, which he attended following the summit in Itanagar. He hinted at meeting Central BJP leaders, who he said were “curious as to know why I was sacked.”
Asked how it will impact the NPF-BJP partnership, he responded that the issue is not how it will affect the alliance, while adding BJP leaders and the CM are yet to have a meeting. On the speculation of the NPF and the BJP going together into the 2017 Manipur Assembly elections, he said that as of now there has been no discussion of a pre-poll alliance in Manipur.
Meanwhile in a separate press statement issued to the media, Mmhonlumo said he would continue to work for the people, regardless of not having a portfolio to look after, as “I am still a representative of the people.”
“My efforts will not stop because I have been removed from a position in the government, because I know, and the people know – I am an elected representative, and nothing but the people’s will and wishes will prevent me from working for Naga people everywhere,” the MLA stated. “What continues to drive me, are the Rights and guarantees we have under the law, even as regular citizens,” he said.
He also gave a clarion call for all to work together for a better Nagaland where “good governance and relevant policies for the welfare of the people can be achieved and corruption at every level can be challenged by upright citizens.” He affirmed to “work tirelessly, for the truth and justice of every single Naga, no matter who they are and where they are.”
Mmhonlumo’s dismissal nothing to do with LH PIL, states Patton
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 5 (MExN): Nagaland Home Minister Y Patton on Saturday stated that the “sacking” of MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon from the post of Parliamentary Secretary for Labour and Employment, Skill Development and Border Affairs has nothing to do with the Lotha Hoho’s PIL in connection with the Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulation & Rules 2012.
Speaking up in support of Chief Minister TR Zeliang’s action, who gave the order on October 28 last, Patton, in a statement particularly directed to the Lotha community, maintained that the government is in no way trying “to let the Lotha Hoho withdraw the PIL.”
Patton asserted that the government is more concerned about the status quo/ continuance of Article 371 (A) so that the constitutional safeguards it provides are not diluted or compromised in any manner. “Article 371 (A) was a political decision and it is a matter of concern that a political decision is being decided in the Court of law since all political decisions might not be able to stand the scrutiny of legality,” the Home Minister said.
Therefore, instead of speculating on the connection of PIL with the sacking of Mmhonlumo, the question asked should be whether the sacked MLA’s activities were in line with the programmes and policies of the DAN Government, whether he had team spirit in tune with the requirements of an alliance government or whether he was playing the role of a lone ranger for his own vested interests, Patton said.
The Home Minister also claimed that from May 2014 – October 2016 as many as 16 DAN Legislators meeting were held and Mmhonlumo was present only once adding, “It is not me or Lotha people to justify, but it is he who should justify his stand and Chief Minister knows who is who in his Ministry.”
Patton further questioned whether Mmhonlumo’s proximity with “forces inimical to the stability of the present DAN Government under Chief Minister TR Zeliang was sending the right message to the alliance legislators and party functionaries.”
Pointing out that induction of MLAs into the Ministry is not done on tribal lines, but done considering representation of the alliance partners, Patton appealed to “my Lotha brethren not to make or take the present political development as a tribal problem but as a political compulsion forced upon the Chief Minister by the activities of the young legislator.”
On the allegation that the government forcibly imposed 144 Cr.PC on July 21, 2014 with the sole intention of launching the resumption of oil exploration in Champang and Tssori areas under Wokha district, Patton said the action was necessitated after “some volunteers of the Kyong Students’ Union tried to sabotage the function for which the district administration had to ensure smooth and safe passage of the invitees and delegates to and from the venue of function.”
The Home Minister also questioned the “not proper” action of the Lotha Hoho in filing a PIL in the Supreme Court when the “actual landowners,” namely, the villages of Champang and Tssori, and the Lotha Lower Public Organisation, are willing to go ahead with the oil exploration and have already signed a MoU with the MOGPL.
