Candidate quits party along with supporters
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 3
The JD (U)’s Nagaland unit Secretary General, Kitoho S Rotokha called it quits from the party barely 5 days after being declared as the JD (U)’s first choice candidate from the 5 Ghaspani II Assembly Constituency.
Rotokha, whose candidacy to the 14th NLA elections was declared on January 29, made the announcement, on February 3, at a press conference in Dimapur.
The decision to leave the JD (U) was attributed to what he said was “dictatorial style” of functioning by the party's state unit President, Senchumo NSN Lotha. Lotha was accused of not being transparent and going against the wish of the party workers and conniving to jeopardise the candidature of Rotokha in the 5 Ghaspani II seat.
Besides, Rotokha claimed that Lotha ignored the advice of senior state JD (U) leaders to consider the setting up of “winnable” candidates from three seats in Mon, Peren and Dimapur districts, while arbitrarily deciding to have the JD (U) contest in only two seats in 5 Ghaspani II and 37 Tyui. “The President (NSN) was working towards the downfall of my candidature. Ticket was denied to capable candidates. How do you expect the party to work in such a manner?” he said.
On account of Lotha's alleged actions, Rotokha said that he, alongwith the Nagaland JD (U) set up resolved,at a meeting on February 2, to quit the party en bloc. He added that the meeting was convened by General Secretary Imsumongba Pongen.
Justifying the move, he said, “In politics, circumstances and situations necessitate the taking of such drastic steps.”
He further expressed dismay at what was said to be the JD (U)’s half-hearted stand on the Naga political issue.Queried on his next move, he said that he was contemplating joining another party, while adding, “Whichever party we choose will definitely play a role in government formation.”
Later, in the afternoon, Rotokha joined the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) alongwith his former supporters in the JD (U), at a programme, which had in attendance the LJP’s National Youth President, Pranab Kumar. Kumar announced that Rotokha was inducted into the party after the latter dissolved the entire JDU (U) unit in Nagaland. Also present were NPF-turned-NDPP legislators, who were earlier seeking the ruling coalition’s tickets, namely—Azheto Zhimomi, Yitachu and Naiba Konyak. It was informed that the LJP will announce its list of candidates on February 4.
JD (U)expels Rotokha
The JD (U) meanwhile countered Rotokha’s announcement by expelling the latter from the party.
A press release from its National General Secretary, Afaque Ahmad Khan said that the JD (U) was flabbergasted by Rotokha’s claim of resigning en masse from the JD (U) “throwing false allegation against the State President, JD (U) Nagaland.”
According to the JD (U), the meeting as claimed to have been convened by General Secretary Imsumongba Pongen was not authorised by the party leadership and that the other state JD (U) executives that sided with Rotokha did not have the party’s approval. It maintained that Pongen was still a JD (U) member. It was not mentioned in the release, but according to social media posts, Pongen was set to announce his candidature, as a JD (U) candidate from 4 Ghaspani I, on February 4.
While stating that the JD (U) will be initiating necessary action against the “culprits,” it said that the party was expelling Rotokha for “his anti-party activities.”
It added that Senchumo NSN Lotha, Vice President, Hatpha Wang and Imsumongba Pongen, as the guardians of the Nagaland JD (U), will continue to have the full support of the national office leadership.
The party’s former state Secretary Obed Sumi, responded to the statement, terming it as baseless allegation. Sumi also joined the LJP, today, along with, Rotokha.
