Tussle over NPF party leadership, office setup

In a major setback for the NPF under the interim president and Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio, a local court on Monday passed an interim order restraining Rio-led group from using the name of Naga People’s Front, its symbol and flags and also against the opening of any office using the name of NPF party. This was stated in a press release issued by the NPF central media and press bureau.

The court further restrained the defendant (Rio) from opening of any new office using the name of NPF party till the next hearing scheduled for September 27, 2017.

According to NPF, the court order has categorically pointed out that no other individual or group can claim the original NPF party or setup up any office.

NPF M&PB said that the plaintiff– NPF Mon division president, L Yanlong who had filed a civil suit in the court of the civil judge (senior) Mon division, submitted that the defendant (Rio) was appointed as the “interim president” of the NPF on July 31, 2017 by a group of expelled/suspended NPF legislators and had opened an office at Hotel Legacy, Kohima, using the name of NPF and its symbol and flags.

The counsel for the plaintiff informed the court that 20 NPF MLAs were expelled and another 12 suspended on various dates from active and primary membership of the party.

The counsel contended that there was no such post by the name and style of “interim president” as per the constitution of the NPF. 

The counsel further pointed out that any official post of the party would have to be appointed by the General Convention of the party as per para 2 (c) of Article IV of the NPF constitution.

Accordingly, NPF said the civil judge, satisfied that the plaintiff had made out a case for grant of ad-interim injunction, passed an order restraining Neiphiu Rio from using the name of NPF, its symbol and flags.

Following the expiry of the 15-day ultimatum on August 13 served on Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu to step down as NPF president, five legislators under Kohima district said that the latter was still clinging on to the chair “by totally insulting and damaging the voices of the majority, which is the fundamental structure of the Indian constitution.”

In a joint statement, Dr. Neikesalie Nicky Kire, Er. Kropol Vitsu, Er. Vikho Yhoshü, Er. Levi Rengma and Dr. Neiphriezo Keditsu reminded that the 48 DAN legislators selected Neiphiu Rio as the interim NPF president. 

Accordingly, they said the 48 DAN legislators resolved to serve a 15-day ultimatum on Dr. Shürhozelie to step down as NPF president due to his dictatorial actions against the party and NPF legislators.

While admitting that the ongoing leadership dispute and the tussle within the NPF was clearly an internal party affair, the five MLAs noted that the ECI was seized of the matter and was optimistic that the issue would be resolved by the ECI within no time.

The MLAs maintained that they were “standing simply on the ground that Neiphiu Rio, Lok Sabha MP, three time chief minister and the tallest Naga leader, enjoys the support of a vast majority of NPF party organisation”, while chief minister, T.R. Zeliang commanded the support of more than the 2/3rd absolute majority– 48 MLAs in the NPF-led DAN government.

Stating that the leadership dispute in the NPF party cannot be resolved in Nagaland, the MLAs appealed to the party men and public to exercise maximum restrain and peace, till such time the ECI declares the verdict and handover the party symbol and properties to the rightful and legal owner.

“Nevertheless, it is prudent upon the stake holders in all the NPF hierarchy to protect the sweat and hard earned image of the party in the eyes of the people,” the MLAs added.