ENLU, ENGOA, ENWO oppose ENPO stand
Close on the heels of the resolution of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) which had on January 14, reaffirmed to oppose the civic polls and also directing the Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO) to withdraw from NMA’s JACWR, three frontal organisations of eastern Nagaland have come out to oppose their apex body and thus indicating a rift within.
Apparently as part of the government’s effort to thwart attempts to derail the civic polls, minister of health and family welfare, who is also the convenor of Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU), P. Longon held an emergency meeting with the three organisations at his residence Sunday.
The joint statement of the three organisations– ENLU, Eastern Nagaland Gazetted Officers Association (ENGOA) and Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO)– was handed to the media.
In their joint statement, the organisations expressed “displeasure” with ENPO’s January 14 resolution on the ground that it was made without consultation or knowledge of the frontal organisations under ENPO.
Further the three organisations resolved “to strongly abide by the ENPO’s January 4 resolution wherein it was resolved to leave the decision of holding of ULBs elections to concerned tribal bodies of eastern Nagaland.”
The organisations have therefore appealed to people of eastern Nagaland to go ahead with the civic polls as per the decision taken by respective tribal bodies. Further, they warned that the signatories of January 14 ENPO resolution would be held responsible of any untoward incident on any individual, particularly during civic polls.
State BJP directive
State BJP unit has issued a directive to all BJP candidate not to withdraw their candidature, instead asked the candidates to be committed to their goals of winning the elections to serve the people of their wards devotedly.
The directive was issued by state president Shri Visasolie Lhoungu in accordance with central directive, stated BJP unit general secretary (media) & spokesperson, Jaangsillung Gonmei in a press statement.
It further asked the candidates not divert their attentions and warned of action against those violating the directive as per the party’s constitutional provisions (anti-party activities). Meanwhile, BJP Central observers have also taken note on the strong positive response of the women candidature and urged all to create an equitable society in line with national as well as international human rights efforts.
NPF Zbto responds
Against the backdrop of apex tribe organisations opposing the scheduled elections to town and municipal councils asking all candidates to withdraw, the ruling NPF has dug its heels to counter the opposition by reaffirming to press on with the decision to hold the elections.
Responding to Sumi Hoho asking all candidates who filed nominations for election to town council to withdraw on or before January 17 and also alleging that NPF working president Huskha Yepthomi and parliamentary secretary Hukavi Zhimo forcibly led in filing nomination papers on January 6, 2017, NPF Zunheboto president Akavi Sumi has clarified the position with regard to the scheduled town council election.
Akavi pointed out that as resolved and supported by Sumi legislators, the party paraded its candidates at the Returning Officer’s office on the same day at 2.40 pm in presence of Sumi legislators and Sumi Hoho officials.
To the insistence of Sumi Hoho on all candidates withdraw their nominations, Akavi said NPF party and the legislators were only upholding the undertaking between Sumi legislators, party and Sumi Hoho on January 11,2017.