Am I suspended for working for the truth? Rio questions NPF
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 24
In an open defiance to the suspension order served to him by the NPF Party, former Nagaland chief minister and Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio, today said he was not afraid to speak and work for truth.
“Why the suspension? Is it for speaking and working for the truth? I am not afraid because God and the Naga public are with me…we are fighting for truth, Naga people and not for our own interests”, the Lok Sabha MP said.
Addressing hundreds of party supporters and public at the Dimapur Airport on his arrival from Delhi, Rio narrated the events of the crisis within the NPF party, which began with the tussle for the seat of chief minister, which he had vacated to contest for the lone Lok Sabha seat.
After vacating his seat, Rio said the NPF leadership instead of openly consulting all party MLAs went on a silent “signature campaign” and chose TR Zeliang as the chief minister. However, Rio said in good faith he supported Zeliang as the chief minister but trouble started when the three NCP MLAs who merged with the BJP were disqualified by the Speaker.
“They were the first one to rebel, it was not my working,” he said. The Lok Sabha MP said in the midst of the disqualification issue of the three NCP MLAs added with growing dissent from other NPF MLAs, senior NPF legislator Kaito Aye approached him claiming that the latter had the majority support of NPF MLAs.
Rio said all throughout the crisis, he had insisted that in true democratic manner, majority should prevail but that the other NPF group chose to heap all the blames upon him.
Rio also said on August 22, 2015, he and former Rajya Sabha MP, Khekiho, had written a letter to NPF president, Dr. Shurhozelie, stating that the reconciliation within the NPF party as announced had not been achieved in the true sense and urged for “true reconciliation to take place under an atmosphere of accommodation, unity and oneness in the true and traditional spirit of the regional cock symbol party.”
Again, on January 26, 2016, Rio informed he had written another letter to the NPF president stating that “even after the discussion and assurance given by you there has been no consultation by party leaders or elected members regarding party affairs or government matters with me at any point of time till date. No information/communication regarding the Naga issue or party matters have reached me even during the process of reconciliation.”
Since the two letters, Rio said the NPF president had never initiated anything to resolve the issue. Instead, he was served two show notices by the Party president through newspapers within a span of ten days, Rio added. He urged to the NPF leadership to “rethink” on the suspension order.
Reiterating that resolving the Naga issue was uppermost in his mind, the Lok Sabha MP said at the present critical juncture, Naga people, especially the youth, must not remain silent but come out to support the peace process and the “Framework Agreement” so that they do miss the numerous opportunities that await them.
“History is important but our future is more important. We should not remain silent to individual interests superseding Naga interest,” Rio said and concluded with the slogans “Long live Nagas” and “We stand for truth.”
Former minister, Imkong I Imchem, MLA, who was also earlier suspended from the NPF, said the people should condemn the “autocratic” and “dictatorship” functioning of the NPF party. Referring to the beginning of internal crisis within the NPF, Imchen asserted that demanding change of leadership can never be termed as “anti party” as in a democracy, leadership is subject to mandate of the people and majority group.
Senior political leader Thenucho, said it was disturbing to witness the current trend of politics within the regional party and Naga society and said this was contradictory to the politics of visionary leaders like late A Kevichusa and others.
Founding member of NPF Manipur unit, A Abongmei, in his address said Nagas of Manipur would never forget Rio’s contribution to the welfare of Nagas of Manipur. “Because of Rio, NPF is now a well established and popular political party in Manipur. It is really painful to hear the suspension of our leader”, Abongmei said.
MLA Ngullie dares NPF president to produce TR’s educational certificate
Former Minister and present MLA in the Nagaland Assembly, Thomas Ngullie today challenged the NPF President and DAN Chairman Dr. Shurhozelie to produce the educational certificate of Chief Minister TR Zeliang to the Naga public and the nation.
Addressing the reception rally to receive MP and former Chief Minister Neiphu Rio at Dimapur Airport, the senior leader regretted that the state of affairs in Nagaland had crossed the limit.
Citing the example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose educational qualification was questioned by the Delhi Chief Minister, Thomas said that the national BJP President Amit Shah and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had produced the educational qualification certificate and mark sheet of the PM to the nation.
Why cannot Dr. Shurhozelie produce the mark sheet of TR Zeliang to the Naga people, Thomas questioned, and demanded that the president of NPF should come clean on the issue.
