DIMAPUR, APRIL 2 (MExN): Replying to the statement of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee relating to the ‘office of profit’ issue which appeared as a news report yesterday, Press Secretary to the Nagaland People’s Front, R Paphino today said he was constrained to issue a rejoinder.
“The schedule paragraph 8 of the Nagaland State Legislature members (Removal of disqualification) Act, 1964 (Nagaland Act I of 1964) clearly provides safeguard for disqualification of the Chief Minister and other MLAs in question which states that, ‘The office of Chairman, Vice Chairman or members of any Authority appointed by the Govt. of India or the Govt. of any State specified in the first Schedule to the Constitution of India.”
“What clarity or explanation is required beyond this explicit standing provision?” Paphino told the Congress. NPCC Vice President Nuzota Swüro is raising “inconsistent and irrelevant rules and Acts” to defend the Leader of Opposition, he said.
As far as the Leader of Opposition issue is concerned, he might have chosen the path of silence, realizing that the issue has bounced back, the rejoinder said.
“In fact, as ignorant as the Congress leaders were, a huge ‘Frankenstein’ was created but when the issue of disqualification of their leader (Leader of Opposition) came under scanner for disqualification, no sooner did they realize that their own creation have gone beyond their control.”
Paphino said the Congress leaders have become uncomfortable seeing the “marvelous performance of the NPF led DAN Government for the people of Nagaland. More so, with the outstanding feat of organizing the mega Agri Expo 2006 events which also happened to be the best ever in Nagaland and the entire North East."
