DIMAPUR, MAY 23 (MExN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) today accused the Naga People’s Front (NPF) of “gross violations” of the Election Model Code of Conduct during campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha bye-elections.
A press note from the NDPP stated that it had on May 22 lodged necessary complaints with the Election Commission of India. The State unit of the BJP also demanded that the ECI take cognizance of the alleged violations of the model code of conduct.
The NDPP said that during the campaign launch of the NPF on May 15, the party President, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu had reportedly made polarizing statements based on religious grounds.
This statement, the NDPP stated is a clear violation of section 3 of the ECI MCC as well as Section 125 of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951. “Such callous statements have larger implications in inciting religious and communal disharmony among the masses,” it added.
Further, the NDPP alleged that the NPF candidate, C Apok Jamir had presented a Mithun to the Ao Senso Telongjem (Ao Union) Dimapur “which was later distributed amongst the members of the union.” “As is well known, presenting a Mithun is not any normal affair but holds a lot of significance amongst all Nagas. The presentation of a live animal, let alone a Mithun, to anyone by a political party, leave aside the candidate himself is a violation of Section 4 of the ECI MCC tantamount to bribing the electorate,” the NDPP reasoned.
It urged the ECI and the concerned authorities to take cognizance of the complaints raised and take necessary action taken at the earliest.
