Portfolio for Noke ‘an open insult’: NPF 43 Tapi A/C
Taking a strong exception to the allotment of social welfare portfolio to Noke Konyak the No. 2 in the DAN III cabinet, NPF 43 Tapi A/C general secretary N. Loipang and office bearers Thursday said the portfolio given to Noke was “an open insult” and disrespect on the part of the NPF core committee headed by chief minister.
In a statement, the officer bearers have also questioned the way the core committee was formed “without the knowledge and inclusion” of Noke and party president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu.
Expressing displeasure over the inclusion of juniors and even newly elected members to the cabinet, the office bearers reminded that Noke was elected to the assembly for seven terms.
They said the treatment meted out to Noke reflected how “backward people including elected members” have often been “sidelined and subject to such discrimination.”
The office bearers have appealed the chief minister to restore “respect and dignity” to the senior most party leader who has worked for NPF for last nearly four decades.
Meanwhile, NPF 43 Tapi A/C general secretary N. Loipang also refuted the news that there had been a swap of portfolios between Noke and Kiyanilie Peseyie.
Terming the reports published on local dailies as factually incorrect and “misleading”, N. Loipang indicated that though Noke was allotted Social Welfare, they said the portfolio was “not acceptable to party workers and supporters” for a senior most minister.
They said their disapproval was conveyed to the chief minister and also asked him to allot “bigger portfolio or addition of some other department(s).”
N. Loipang clarified that in the subsequent meeting with the chief minister, “a swap of portfolio” was suggested by chief minister to both the ministers.
He said Noke had made it very clear that further consultation would be required with party workers and supporters before taking a final decision.
N. Loipang said party workers and supporters had made it clear that they would not accept any change of department and the same was resolved and communicated accordingly.
He also further said that 43 Tapi NPF was “extremely displeased” with the way whole issue has been handled and treatment meted out to the senior most minister in the absence of any official notification.
KTC hurt by denial of cabinet berth to Longon
Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) has expressed “anguish/displeasure” over the denial of a cabinet berth to P. Longon, MLA elected on NPF ticket from 56 Noklak assembly constituency on February 23.
In a joint press statement, KTC president W. Chuba Lam and general secretary N.L. Tangsoi expressed dismay over the issue.
They reminded that the Khiamniungan area has been “the least developed and neglected” part of the state despite the fact that the area shared about 159 km international border with Myanmar.
KTC also pointed out that P. Longon has been elected for the third consecutive term by the people with the hope that DAN government would give him a cabinet berth.
Reminding of the “immense contributions” made by the Khiamniungan tribe for the attainment of statehood, KTC said though P. Longon was been re-elected , the “wishes” of Khiamniungan tribe has been discarded.
The signatories accused DAN-III of “totally” ignoring the people’s mandate and desire for development.
They said it was in “total contrast” to the DAN election manifesto and therefore had “deeply hurt” when P.Longon was ignored for a cabinet berth and termed it as an act of ignoring the people of backward area.
60 Pungro A/C NPF appeal for cabinet berth
NPF 60 A/C Pungro, Kiphire has also expressed dismay over the denial of a cabinet berth to T. Torechu, “one of the senior most experienced and die-hard regionalist.”
In a press release, NPF 60 A/C Pungro working president H. Thsangtsumong, president Tsipongse and Mark advisory secretary, divisional unit Lisemong said that Kiphire division was never allotted a cabinet berth by the DAN government in its three terms.
They stated that if a cabinet berth was given to a representative from Kiphire area, it would help in developing region bordering Myanmar.
The party functionaries also said the new DAN government was doing “injustice” by offering T. Torechu the post of parliamentary secretary.
NPF 60 A/C Pungro has urged the authority to take necessary action at the earliest so that its elected leader T. Torechu got a cabinet berth.
CNTC member resents
Expressing resentment against the recent induction of ministers to the DAN-III cabinet, Central Naga Tribal Council (CNTC) general secretary and member of the NPF Legal Cell, Imtinochet Ao, termed it as “injustice”.
He cited the case of Yitachu who was elected thrice (2003, 2008 and 2013) from 20 Meluri assembly constituency and who held the post of parliamentary secretary in both DAN-I and DAN-II but who was denied a cabinet berth.
He also pointed out that both ministers from Mokokchung district belonged to only one range– Ongpangkong.
Nochet reminded that there were five other ranges in Ao areas and some of the recently elected NPF candidates deserved to be considered.
He said Nuklutoshi, the two-time elected member from 22 Arkakong assembly constituency under Langpangkong range was senior and experienced.
He also said Dr. Longri from 29 Jangpetkong under Changkikong range and Dr. Benjong from 30 Alongtaki under Japukong range had better credentials to represent the district as representatives of their ranges.
Nochet further pointed out that having two cabinet ministers only form one range under Mokochung district was “unfair”.
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