Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 20
The Central Executive Council (CEC) of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in its meeting held here today at the Central Headquarters welcomed the decision of the Election Commission of India dated October 17, 2017, in referring back the matter to the party to put to rest the present crisis once and for all, and places on record its sincere appreciation to the ECI for the “just and transparent order” issued as per the provisions of Article XV of the NPF Constitution.
Summons NPF General Convention on Nov 22
Towards this, the meeting endorsed the Party president Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu to summon the General Convention of the party, as desired by the ECI, on November 22, 2017 at 11:00 AM in Kohima. Naga People’s Front (NPF) president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu in a notification stated that in consonance with Article IV Para (6) Clause (a), the NPF CEC in its meeting held today at the Central NPF Office Kohima, Nagaland decided to summon the General Convention on November 22 at Kohima.
It also stated that CEC further endorsed the President to issue Notification for summoning the General Convention in view of the directive by the ECI, a dispute in Naga People’s Front a recognized State Party in the Nagaland and Manipur to resolve the present crisis within the party by invoking Article XV of the NPF Constitution.
The issue to be tabled in the General Convention shall be, to discuss and deliberate the present crisis within the NPF Party owing to an attempt made by some dissidents to hijack the party, to put to vote by way of raising hand as to whether the General Convention held on 26.11.2014 and 30.04.2015 at Kohima vis-à-vis election of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu as the President NPF along with his team of Office Bearers for the tenure 2015-2020 should stand valid or should be treated as null and void, wherein, only Active Members whose names are enrolled in the Central (Party) Office before the present dispute arose shall be eligible to vote.
Supports on-going peace process
While reiterating its support to the on-going peace process between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, the CEC expressed its appreciation to the Government of India for inviting the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups for negotiation.
The meeting also reiterated its appeal to the NSCN (K) to renounce violence and return to the negotiating table with the Government of India as desired by the Naga people.
It also vehemently condemned “the arbitrary dismissal of the Constitutionally-installed Government headed by Dr Shürhozelie by Governor PB Acharya and unconstitutionally installing the TR Zeliang Government saying the tussle for NPF leadership was not an internal party problem. But within a month or so, the Governor had the temerity to state in a press interview that it is an internal party problem and that the party must reconcile.
Severance of ties with BJP to continue
The meeting also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to remain with the National Democratic Alliance since NPF is one of its founding members in 1977. “However, severance of ties with the BJP, as decided by the CEC on July 18, 2017, shall continue,” the resolution stated.
To ensure clarity and avoid duplicity in the Constitution of the party, the CEC authorized the party president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu to set up a Constitution Review Committee “so that the proposed amendments/ changes in the Constitution can be put up of adoption in the scheduled November 22, 2017 General Convention of the party as required by Article XVI of the Constitution of the party.”
NPF Election Manifesto Committee constituted
MLA Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and President, NPF today said that the NPF have already constituted the election manifesto committee. “I feel that our manifesto should be short and precise having link with ground realities,” he said and asked the members to submit proposal if any in writing to committee convenor K.G. Kenye, MP and Secretary General NPF. “We have also set up different committees for our ensuing general convention” he said while addressing the NPF Central Executive Council meeting here at NPF Central office hqrs. He said very soon, those committees will issue necessary instructions to all the divisions for the role they have to play.
Expressing high hope about the future of the party, he said NPF alone represents the identity of Naga people he said, “It is necessary for us to explain to our people about the facts that are prevailing in the state today so that the electorates do not cast their votes without knowing the nature of different political parties.”
Dr. Liezietsu said the tenure of the 12th House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly will come to an end after a few months. He said that under the directive of some forces from within and without “our government as dismissed on 19th July, 2017 at 2:00 PM in the afternoon and TR Zeliang was sworn- in at 5:30 the same day-after three and a haft hours.” He said everything was done with lightening speed “without given us chance to defend or speak for ourselves.”
“We have no regret for the dismissal of our government because the Naga people are fully aware of who is right and who is not,” he said adding that only thing is that those who participated in this drama had molested the Constitution of India by no other than those who are supposed to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution “which is most regrettable.”
“We will not speak ill of any political party and we have decided to go along with our present partners in the DAN Coordination Committee (JD (U) & NCP) in the ensuing general election in Nagaland. We are confident that our Naga people are with us and if so, that is sufficient,” he said.
Dr. Liezietsu also said that with new breed of decent people particularly the younger generation, “we are confident that we can make a fresh start to recapture those good deeds of the party with determination to do away with the corrupted system.”
“I believe that the corrupted system had gone away from us to a great extend along with those who parted ways with us,” he said.
He said the party will play its part fair in the coming general election listening to the appeal of the churches for Clean Election.
Chotisuh Sazo on ECI order
MLA Chotisuh Sazo today said the Election Commission of India order dated 17th October 2017 with regard to Dispute case No 3 of 2017, a dispute in Naga Peoples’ Front a recognized State Party in the States of Nagaland and Manipur has been much anticipated.
Stating that every organization is governed by set rules, regulations aims and objectives and so is “our Party Naga People Front,” Sazo said “The founding fathers and it worthy successors have nurtured this Cock Party and have elaborately laid out its constitution and have handed to all party men and women to abide by it. It is a happy augury to note that the Election Commission of India have taken cognizance of our constitution and in its order have directed to resort to the Party Constitution as a matter of first recourse.”
Sazo said the crisis has unfortunately swept many legislators and party functionaries to our adversaries for want of greed, power and money forsaking the party principles and ideology.
Also sharing his observation, Sazo felt that the party should recognise and reward leaders who have remained steadfast, unwavering and stood by the Party principles and ideologies. He said loyalty, integrity, stability and win ability should formed the criterion for issuing Party tickets to candidates.
The ECI’s order dated 17th October 2017 has clearly vindicated the stance of our Party and how we have adhered and abided by the Party Constitution which we have given to our self, he added.
MLAs Y. Vikheho Swu and CL John also spoke at the meeting. The meeting as chaired by MP and NPF secretary general K.G. Kenye.
