Kenye reacts to Rio’s statement

Addressing media persons here at the party’s central office, Kenye said Rio’s remark that the “absence of such a provision would only provide any incumbent with absolute powers which could be abused and exploited to reduce the party as a private property”, was baseless. He said that the NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie never by-passed the CEC to exercise extra constitutional powers or exploited or abused the party as a private property.

Further, Kenye said even though the rival group may be plotting to freeze the ‘cock’ symbol by asking ECI to accept the crisis as a “dispute”, they would fail as the ECI was well aware of the situation. He therefore asked party workers not to panic.

With regard to the ultimatum served on NPF president to step down, Kenye said there was no such provision in the party’s constitution to impeach the president, neither there was any law that empowers the legislators to impeach the party president.

He said since the NPF legislators do not even have the power to elect party functionaries, even at the village level, the question of impeaching the president or asking him to step down does not arise.

K.G, Kenye said “if NPF party which has been maintained for more than half a century gets dismantled, it will be a colossal loss to the people of the state and that no will be able to build the damaged bridge under any circumstances.”

On Naga issue, he said NPF was true to its regional stand that even during 1998 general election, the party had refrained from contesting the polls by heeding the call of Naga Hoho who desired for peace first and not election.

He also said that the NPF central had passed several resolutions seeking for an honourable and acceptable Naga solution, saying the party would stand firm till it was achieved.

In his brief address, NPF working president Huskha Yepthomi said “even if the Naga political solution comes to an end and Naga underground groups gets dissolved, NPF will remain upholding Naga rights.”