Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 16
Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has refused to accept the resignation of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) President Hokheto Sumi and requested that he continue to carry on with the activities as NPCC President. Hokheto had tendered his resignation to the party high command in New Delhi Wednesday following the decision to issue the Congress party ticket for the Dimapur-I Assembly seat to Aheto Yepthomi. “I have to appeal to you on behalf of the All India Congress Committee not to press for the resignation”, stated Oscar Fernandes, in-charge of Northeast in a letter addressed to Hokheto.
As earlier reported, the NPCC President had taken the extreme step of stepping down following differences over choice of candidate for the prestigious Dimapur-I Assembly Constituency seat. Sumi was reportedly unhappy over the choice made by the party high command and also the stand taken by some of the influential State Congress leaders for opposing the choice of senior leader KL Chishi.
Meanwhile, in a separate letter addressed to the NPCC President, Fernandes officially informed of the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi’s decision to approve the candidature of Aheto Yepthomi for the Dimapur-I seat. For the Tuensang Sadar-II (ST) A/C, the party high command approved the candidature of Kijong Chang.
While there has been no official confirmation on whether Hokheto will pay heed to the appeal made by the AICC, informed sources said that the NPCC President has taken back his resignation and will abide by the decision of the party high command. Former Chief Minister KL Chishi whose name had come up as one of the three persons recommended to the AICC had reportedly turned down suggestions that he contest as an independent candidate. Chishi has reportedly expressed the need for supporting the Congress nominee at this juncture.
