Reacting to the statement of the DAN coordination committee, asking adviser & DAN chairman, Noke Wangnao to prove support of parties backing him as the DAN chairman, Parliamentary Affairs minister and NPF legislature party spokesperson, Tokheho Yepthomi reminded the “self-styled” committee that Noke was unanimously elected as the DAN chairman during the DAN legislature party meeting on July 26, 2017.
Tokheho said Noke’s candidature was proposed by Imtilemba (BJP), minister for Cooperation, R&R, MARCOFED and seconded by SI Jamir (NPF), adviser (Urban Development) and Er. Levi Rengma (IND), parliamentary secretary (Housing) in the presence of state BJP president, Visasolie Lhoungu.
“Therefore, it is without an iota of doubt that Noke Wangnao is the DAN chairman which comprises of 36 NPF, 4 BJP and 7 Independent MLAs,” Tokheho added. He said that the BJP-led NDA at the Centre was a conglomeration of few parties. However, since the group led by Dr Shürhozelie had viciously severed ties with the BJP and the NDA on July 18, they have no reason to claim to be part and parcel of the NDA, Tokheho stated.
He said even though Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu claimed to be the DAN chairman, supposedly supported by NCP and JD (U), these parties do not have a single MLA or party organisation in the state. Therefore, Tokheho said that there should not be any confusion about Noke being the DAN chairman.
Tokheho also said it was unambiguous that Dr. Shürhozelie’s group was “using all forms of undemocratic means to threaten the Speaker to disqualify the 36 MLAs and also forcing him to recognise Azo as the leader of the NPF legislature party and recognise Yitachu as the chief whip.” He said the office of the speaker was a constitutional post and the wisdom and integrity of the office should not be challenged by any individual. Tokheho reminded Dr. Shürhozelie’s group not to make the mistake they had made when Chotisuh Sazo was the speaker, wherein he was forced to disqualify three BJP MLAs in 2014. However, he said the disqualification was quashed by the Gauhati High Court. Tokheho said it was clear that Dr. Shürhozelie had forced Chotisuh to disqualify the BJP MLAs fearing that the BJP would disturb the government if their numbers increased.
On Yitachu’s statement that they could impeach the speaker, Tokheho said “If they have found any fault, they should not have had any second thought and should have moved for impeachment of the speaker.” Therefore, Tokheho said they challenged Dr. Shürhozelie’s group to do so if their contentions were valid.
With regard to ECI directing NPF to hold the General Convention, Tokheho made known that the dispute was not over and that despite allegations and counter allegations, a case had been filed for hearing which was pending.
Quoting paragraph 8 of the EC’s order, Tokheho said it clearly stated that “until such recourse has been exhausted, it would not be fit for the Commission to adjudicate the matter.” Therefore, he said it was better for both groups to restrain themselves and wait for the EC’s verdict.
On the allegation against the Governor and the state government of running an “unconstitutional” government, Tokheho said there was not a single government in the country being run without following the Constitution.
He said the repeated claims– that the government headed by TR Zeliang would fall on September 21 and/or October 25, were all misleading and ignorant statements.
“The people are the best judge as to whether there is a Government in Nagaland or not contrary to the predictions of Dr. Shürhozelie’s group,” he added.