DIMAPUR, JUNE 3 (MExN): Vatsu Meru dissident NPF MLA and one of the signatory calling for withdrawal of support to the Neiphiu Rio government has rebutted Agriculture Minister Azo who had claimed that “his signature and that of nine other NPF MLAs were obtained under duress during August/September 2004 to switch over loyalty from Neiphiu Rio”. Vatsu in a rejoinder stated that this claim of Azo was best known to them and to God. “Christians are expected to be truthful to themselves, people and God”.
“His statement ‘as soon as possible, we intimated to the Governor in August/September 2005’, certifies a one-year gap of time. Whether it is ‘as soon as possible’ or not, we leave it to the people for judgment”, Vatsu further stated while pointing out that Azo was lured and inducted in May 2005 into the Council of Ministers.
“Thereafter, he may have changed his heart. If so, the truth should be told to the people. Till 2nd June 2007 he and his other nine friends did not raise the issue of ‘duress’ at any point of time”, Vatsu stated.
It was also stated that all the signatories came all the way from Kohima to sign the withdrawal of support to Chief Minister in the Dimapur home of Z. Obed. “From amongst the ten Members they proposed him to carry the responsibility of Leadership and perform duties thereof. They further left the responsibility to Shri. Z. Obed Leader Elect to submit at an appropriate time when the quorum is completed. The quorum of majority completed only on 28th May, 2007 and the therefore, the proposal for change of leadership was submitted on 30th May 2007”, it was informed.
“The whole process of withdrawal of decisions took a good three years time which in itself displays that it is of their own volition. There is no logic to support that Mr. Obed has any force to keep 10 MLAs under duress alone. Nagas’ challenges are one to one. Therefore, the question of duress has no meaning. I am also a signatory along with the 10 Members and others. To the best of my knowledge and belief, we have signed on our own volition”, Vatsu stated.
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