Gov, BJP get flak from NPF at CEC meet

While hitting out at the Governor, the NPF ministers also slammed the BJP, an alliance partner, for blaming the DAN government of corruption. NPF ministers said the Governor had gone beyond his brief in calling the government corrupt. 

Nagaland Home minister Y. Patton led the charge by alleging that under the present incumbent, the Raj Bhavan has been turned into a place for RSS, BJP and Heraka. He also hit out at BJP for complaining of “step motherly treatment by NPF”. Patton said BJP legislators were given “good portfolios” in the government and cited that portfolios given to former parliamentary secretary Mmhonlumo of the BJP, which have been allotted to BJP legislators. Further he said the state BJP president was also accorded cabinet status.

Nagaland minister of National Highways, Mechanical and Election, Nuklutoshi reiterated that the Governor should act in accordance with laid down rules. Taking a dig at the Governor for making inspection trips to villages where he had raised concern about school children not being given Mid Day Meal Scheme, Nuklutoshi said the Governor should not visit villages uninvited just to find faults. 

Also slamming BJP, the minister said it was DAN alliance partner since the past 13 to 14 years and so it was unbecoming of the state BJP to condemn its own alliance government while in Delhi. He reminded BJP that its own elected members were also in the government. 

Nuklutoshi also hit out against what he described as “unrecognised organisations” whose numbers have swelled up and exerting their power. In this regard, he said that like ACAUT Nagaland, the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) has been exerting its power by shutting down government offices. He said such organisations should be derecognised. 

Civic polls: On the forthcoming Municipal and Town Council elections, Home minister Y. Patton and Forest minister Dr. Nicky Kire urged the party rank and file to ensure overall victory for the party. 

Dr Nicky reminded party members that the civic polls would be a litmus test for preparing for the 2018 general elections. Dr. Kire also demanded that the NPF should strongly react against the holding of “Good Governance Day” on December 25 throughout India by the prime minister as it was the sacred day for Christians.

Hornbill: Minister PHE Tokheho Yepthomi pointed out that since statehood day on December 1 was being overlapped with Hornbill Festival, he suggested that celebration begin from December 2 and also to curtail the days for the festival.

 On appointments, Tokheho opined that members should limit their range in view of excess number of employees of 1.27 lakh and another 16,000 work charged employees. He also said it was difficult to make people understand that the state spent a huge chunk of annual plan on salaries and leaving hardly anything for development. 

The minister also urged legislators to maintain limited number of PS as there were too many unofficial PSs, causing disturbance on government officials.

Tokheho also expressed reservations about promises by central leaders in solving the Naga political issue. He said irrespective of whether central leaders appreciate the “uniqueness of the Nagas or not” Nagas have their history and urged members not to get too emotional with such praises.

If central leaders were sincere in solving the Naga issue, Tokheho said they should not have recognised so many factions when the centre had signed cease fire agreement only with NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K) and NNC. Tokheho said he was not convinced by the centre in handling the issue since today there are nine factions in total. Therefore, he said, instead of praising Naga uniqueness, the government of India should enable early solution. 

Veteran legislator, G. Kaito Aye expressed unhappiness at the divisive references – “Dimapur group” or “Kohima group”- while referring to two groups that arose during leadership tussle in 2015. Kaito said he thought that the past was forgotten and total reconciliation achieved without any conditions and for which his colleagues assured to work with the party government. He requested that in the name of reconciliation the past should not be kept alive and that party revoke suspension on former chief minister and Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio and former minister & MLA, Imkong L. Imchen. 

Those who also spoke included R&B minister Vikheho Swu, RD minister C.L.John, parliamentary secretary Neiba Kronu, advisors Thongwang and S.I. Jamir.