Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 20
The tussle between the Neiphiu Rio and TR Zeliang led NPF party and Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu led NPF over ownership of the party name and symbol intensified on Wednesday.
In Dimapur, the Rio and Zeliang led party convened a general convention at the DDSC Stadium, Dimapur with thousands of supporters and party functionaries in attendance.
The reason for the ‘extraordinary’ convention was to prove before the Election Commission of India that it (Rio and Zeliang NPF party) has the majority in numbers and thereby claim right to the NPF name and symbol.
Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang addressing the convention said it has the required majority of 37 NPF MLAs including the speaker and 103 CEC members out of the total163 (excluding the presidential nominees).
In addition, out of the 20 NPF divisions from three States, 6 divisions from Nagaland, 6 from Manipur and 1 from Arunachal Pradesh, altogether 13 divisions, supported the Rio-Zeliang NPF to claim absolute majority, he maintained.
A number of resolutions were also adopted at the convention, one which was to call upon the ECI to recognize the established majority of both the legislative party and the organizational structure of the party and deliver justice at the earliest.
It approved the motion of both the legislative party and the organizational party for removal of Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu from the party with effect from August 13, 2017.
It also endorsed and adopted the August 22, 2017 CEC meeting decision in appointing Neiphiu Ro as the NPF President with effect from August 13, 2017.
While acknowledging the ongoing progress on the Indo-Naga peace process, the convention urged upon negotiating parties to expedite the negotiation to bring about an inclusive and early settlement, honourable and acceptable to the Naga people.
Rio to take full charge as President
Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio who was interim president of the party today was appointed to take full fledged charge of the NPF party. In his address, Rio urged party legislators and functionaries to govern the people ‘mindfully,’ and run a transparent and corruption free government.
He also said power should not be abused. “We should not confront with the people, as a government we should listen to the voice of the people,” Rio stated in obvious reference to the confrontational stance taken by the then TR Zeliang government over the 33% reservation.
While acknowledging that the contribution of women had been immense and they deserve reservation, the MP however said there has been a big misunderstanding and misinterpretation over the reservation issue.
He therefore suggested that the Nagas should decide and legislate their own act according to customs and traditions, after discussions with civil societies and men folks on how to protect women and provide reservation. He urged that government to take this issue very seriously and at the earliest pass resolution for removal of the implementation of the 33 reservation and replace it with suitable laws.
Need to change system to check corruption: TR
TR Zeliang said his government was keen on changing the system to keep a check on corruption. He however maintained that all practiced corruption and simply arresting and putting people in jail will not stop corruption. Zeliang therefore stressed on the need to change the system. Citing his moves towards these changes, the CM informed he has opened accounts on social media platforms and invited questions from the people on governance.
The CM also revealed that he was in the process of making all concerned departments and contractors in charge of construction of roads accountable by highlighting details of the road, distance in kms and other specifics like the name of contractors/company undertaking the construction works in public domain.
Zeliang also highlighted on the national road projects that the DAN III had secured during its tenure namely, the four lane road from Dimapur-Kohima; Deboka-Dimapur bypass, Dellai gate -Lahorijan-Patkai College, four lane road of purana bazaar-Chumukedima, Kohima police check gate – Lerie, Railway from Dhansiri-Kohima and Niuland-Zadima.
He further highlighted that five national highways have been approved in principle by the Government of India. They include Showuba-Guzunyu-Phughuboto-Zunheboto-Aghunato-Shamator-Noklak-Pangsha highway; Mon-Longwa-Pangsha-Kiphire-Avangkhu Trans eastern highway; Gandhi Ashram Chuchuyimlang NH-2 – Pangsha highway; Peren-Tening to Tamenglong via Tamei in Manipur highway and Smulguri-Bihubar, Assam to Mon highway.
“If the people cooperate and support the projects which are underway, within 3 years the face of Nagaland road connectivity will change,” Zeliang stated. For this, he called for cooperation of the landowners while urging the people not to demand land compensation wherever there is no provision for such compensation.
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