DPP formation a boon: NPF

This message was reiterated by NPF spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon and vice president Zaku Tsukru held a joint press meet with the local press at Hotel Japfu Thursday.

Kikon said NPF was least bothered about the formation of DPP, saying NPF strength has been consolidated because it has gotten rid of those who had been working against the party. He said even as efforts for reconciliation with dissidents were pursued, some were already planning to form their own party.

With those undesirable elements now out, Kikon said NPF has been cleansed and its functioning will be streamlined before the next election as the right people will be chosen in all the constituencies. He cited the example of the Asom Gana Parishad (Progressive) a breakaway AGP formed by former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. He said Mahanta was the only member of the breakaway AGP who won the election. Taking a dig at the DPP, Kikon predicted that there won’t be any takers for the new party and that the word “Progressive” in DPP like in AGP will be a bad omen. With assembly election round the corner, Kikon said it was likely that new political parties might mushroom, but reiterated that only NPF can sustain and will continue to speak for Naga political issue. He said after election, all such parties will fizzle out as in the past and even those winning election will seek to join the NPF which will remain unchallenged.

NPF vice president Zaku Tsukru described the launch of the DPP as a relief for NPF since they were none other than a few who were sidelined and a majority were not even NPF members.

Tsukru said that the aims and objectives of the DPP contained nothing new and was bereft of any new idea. He described those behind formation of DPP as “desperados” since they knew that NPF tickets would not be given to them.

Chipping in, NPF Farmer’s Wing president Lanukaba pointed out that since formation of NPF over several decades, many other political parties merged with it. He described NPF as a “paddy field which never dries up” while DPP would become like a “jhum field” which cannot survive.

When asked again if NPF felt threatened with the formation of the DPP by dissidents, Kikon rejected it outright saying that the launch was only to mislead the primary and active members of NPF. He claimed that “many things” were going on internally within the new party.

Asked about the absence of Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio from the programme at Niathu Resort Dimapur, Kikon reiterated that Rio was definitely involved in the formation of DPP going by the sequence of events that began after the January-February 2016 Sovima crisis. During the Sovima episode, Kikon said the dissidents attempted to “snatch NPF by choosing Noke Wangnao as their party president”. However today Noke has been forgotten and instead, another leader in the form of Chingwang Konyak has been elected he said. Kikon said people from Eastern Nagaland would best introspect the motive behind choice of leaders from their area. 

Asked if the NPF would initiate action against party members including elected members for involvement with DPP, Kikon said appropriate steps will be taken when the charges are established and that as a matured party, NPF did not act on allegations. Kikon also disclosed that he was in touch with NPF legislators whose names were dragged as having joined DPP in the social media. He said if it was proven they have either joined or was involved with formation of DPP, then action will have to be initiated as per NPF constitution.

Asked if NPF was contemplating any move to expel Neiphiu Rio from the party since the party said it was well aware of his anti-party activities, Kikon said there was a reason for inaction. He explained that for the “time being, suspension serves our purpose better than expulsion.”

 He also reaffirmed that NPF will remain steadfast in its commitment to DAN alliance partner and will never betray the trust.

Meanwhile, hitting back at statements by NPCC president K. Therie and AICC secretary-in-charge Nagaland Dr Jayakumar that NPF was a divided house, Kikon maintained there is only one NPF and led by its president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü.

He termed the allegations by NPCC as a figment of imagination as Congress has no other issue to raise against NPF and the present government but only to mislead the people for political mileage.