Majority CEC members with us, says TR Zeliang
Leaving no stone unturned to ensure massive attendance at what was billed as the ‘General Convention’ at the DDSC stadium here convened by the NPF led by Neiphiu Rio, the entire council of ministers (barring BJP) such as– ministers and parliamentary secretaries (including Independents) led by the state chief minister T.R. Zeliang held sway before the jammed packed stadium which also included a large number from the non-Naga community in Dimapur and people from nearby villages.
In their respective speeches chief minister T.R. Zeliang and NPF president Neiphiu Rio clearly indicated that the objective of the ‘general convention’ was to ensure that the minutes and resolutions will be submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to pave way for legitimising their claim for the NPF cock symbol, flag, motto and letter head etc.
Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang claimed that their NPF (led by Rio) has absolute majority support of MLAs, Central Executive Council (CEC) and divisions. To prove his point, Zeliang (who has support of 36 party MLAs excluding the Speaker) claimed that the NPF under Rio has 103 out of 163. CEC members since nine out of the total of 172 do not have voting rights. Further, he also claimed that they have majority support with 13 Divisions in their favour out of 20 (six Divisions in Manipur and one Division in Arunachal Pradesh), while seven divisions are with Dr. Shürhozelie.
Zeliang exuded confidence that from all these angles they would eventually win the Cock symbol.
Hitting out at the NPF Central under Dr. Shürhozelie, for changing party constitution at their whims and fancies, Zeliang said this would not help them since majority prevails in a democracy.
Countering rival NPF legislature party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Neinu, who had said that all 36 MLAs with T.R. Zeliang would be disqualified and that the government would fall by October, the chief minister instead reminded Azo of their group of 11 MLAs who face disqualification for not attending the vote of confidence. According to Zeliang, after issuing the whip and then not attending the assembly session invited disqualification. He asked people not to be confused with this issue.
Zeliang also strongly defended the tie up with BJP by saying that the DAN coalition with the BJP at the Centre was meaningful and would continue. He also dismissed speculations that NPF legislators under him would join BJP. Instead, Zeliang said they would continue NPF so as to protect Cock symbol adding “we will continue with the alliance but will not join BJP”.
He accused NPF Central under Dr. Shürhozelie of severing ties with BJP without consulting NPF Manipur (where the party is partner in the BJP-led government).
Reacting to earlier press statement from NPF Central describing him as “Heraka boy”, T.R. Zeliang agreed he was a Heraka when he was four years old but after his parents became Christians he no longer practised Heraka. He added “Today T.R. Zeliang is no longer a boy but a man of 65 years.”
Later, the five-point resolution read out by minister of health and family welfare, Imkong L. Imchen was approved by the members by raising hands.
Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Neiba Kronu read out the names of the newly elected CEC members, divisions including Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, youth and women wing. Minister of National Highways and Political Affairs, G. Kaito Aye administered oath to the newly elected members.
Before the programme started, the newly elected NPF president, Neiphiu Rio unfurled the party flag.
The welcome address was delivered by School Education and Parliamentary Affairs minister, Tokheho Yepthomi. In his address, Tokheho briefed the gathering about the genesis of the issue and how the rival group chose to suspend/expel its legislators to the extent of disqualifying them.
Short speeches were also delivered by DAN chairman and advisor, Noke Wangnao, representatives of Manipur State Unit and Arunachal Pradesh State unit.
The programme was chaired by NPF working president, A. Nyamnyie Konyak and the invocation pronounced by WSBAk executive secretary, Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi. The vote of thanks was proposed by S.I. Jamir Advisor, Urban Development Department.
Other highlights include presentation by central women wing and others.
Dr. Shürho threatens to expose rival members
Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 20 (NPN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, on Wednesday threatened to open corruption files of the members of rival faction if they provoked the party too much.
Addressing the consultative meeting at the NPF central office here, Dr. Shürhozelie said: “If they provoke us too far, we may be compelled to open the files openly”.
Accusing Neiphiu Rio and TR Zeliang, he claimed that during their reign as chief ministers liabilities worth thousands of crores of rupees were created through enhancement of contract works by 10-15 times than the actual rate.
Dr. Shürhozelie claimed that as per his information, Rio created liabilities of Rs. 1500 crore and another Rs.500 crore by TR Zeliang totalling Rs.2000 crore. He said Nagas were suffering today and because of them.
Stating that the current situation was a creation of a few “insatiable people”, Dr. Shürhozelie said MP (Lok Sabha) Neiphiu Rio and chief minister, TR Zeliang, were “money giants”, adding that whoever followed them followed for money.
Dr. Liezietsu described as “shameful” that Rio and Zeliang had to involve in court fight over educational qualification and said that when they cannot tell the truth about their educational qualification they cannot be truthful to people.
NPF president also reiterated his claim that a secret agreement was entered between Rio, Zeliang, governor PB Acharya and BJP leaders from outside the state to dislodge his government and said after all their attempts failed, they were doing everything to destroy the party.
Lauding the attendees of consultative meeting, Dr. Liezietsu described them as “most genuine and committed party workers”. He also expressed optimism that good sense would prevail amongst the dissident members and would return to the party fold.
With regard to the court hearing on whip scheduled on September 21, NPF president expressed apprehension that there were possibilities to delay the case. He, however, said that once the whip issue was taken up, the government would end there.
Dr. Liezietsu also urged the gathering to be more committed on party’s visions and take responsibility at their own level to strengthen the party so no one would dare to do wrong to the party and the people.
He further asked the party workers to explain the issue in detail to the grassroots level.
Dr. Shürhozelie added the workers were to be blamed that if people did not understand the issue. Further, he urged them to lead the people, saying all members were equally important for the party.
NPF president told the party workers to take the crisis as an opportunity and see how best they could perform in 2018 assembly election and deliver goods to the people.
NPF spokesperson, Yitachu, MLA, in his brief address, said that after all the attempts of the dissidents failed, they now claim that “solution will come and election will be postponed”.
He said if that was true, then they should come out openly and appeal to join hands. However, Yitachu said the claim that solution would be achieved in “one/two months” may never come and under no circumstances they can take over the party.
Thongwang, MLA, said that no one can take away the party so easily. He said that real NPF party workers would not go begging at the village level asking to join the party like the dissidents were doing.
He urged the members to make people know the truth that dissident members were just “guests” trying to take away the party. He appealed to the party workers to remain steadfast with the party, saying that by the month of October something will emerge.
Longon, MLA, appealed to party workers to remain united and to trust one another to achieve the aspiration of the people and the party. Longon said he agreed with a message viral going on social media that “Rio and Zeliang game was like a Blue Whale game” where the end game will be suicide.
He suggested having prayer chain in all the states where NPF exists, saying party needs God’s protection and guidance to lead the people.
NPF working president, Huskha Yepthomi; ex-MLA from Manipur, Samuel; newly elected NPF Manipur unit president, W Morung Makunga; vice president, Yangerlemba, Mokokchung in charge, and vice president Tsumongo Lotha, Wokha in charge, also spoke at the meeting.
At the meeting, NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie also administered oath of office to the nine newly elected office bearers. The house also observed a minute silent prayer in honour of late Zaku Tsükru, vice president NPF.
The meeting was chaired by MP (Rajya Sabha), KG Kenye. Central office bearers, central executive council members, central frontals and office bearers of cells, divisional president and office bearers attended the meeting.
Resolutions: NPF Central during its consultative meeting also adopted several resolutions, drafted by the resolution committee convenor, Apong Pongener and member secretary, Sebastian Zumvu:
The party reposed unflinching support to the leadership of NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and his team of office bearers, and at the same time, placed on record their dismay at sheer and blatant disloyalty shown by a few party functionaries.
NPF said it rightly condemned the “unconstitutional, illegal and unauthorized so-called General Convention” held at Dimapur by expelled/suspended MLAs and MP, whose sole intention was to destroy the NPF so that they could switch over to some other political parties in the months to come.
The party also urged upon the Election Commission of India not to take cognizance of the so-called General Convention, held without the sanction of Central office and to treat it as an exercise by some frustrated former party functionaries to boost the sagging morale of their followers.
The resolution ridiculed Governor, PB Acharya for talking about corruption in the government, “when he himself was one of the architects who toppled the Dr. Shürhozelie-led government which was determined to curb corruption such as back-door appointments, deduction of developmental funds, handing over the infamous MKR Pillai case to the CBI etc.”
The party reminded NLA Speaker that though “he had molested the Constitution of India by way of giving precedence to the Whip of his brother-in-law TR Zeliang on July 21, 2017, he should not murder Democracy and circumvent the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India [Para 2 (1) (b)] but give a time-bound ruling as specified by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on the Ground of Defection) Rules, 2003, wherein he is required to pass an order within 7 days of receipt of the reply from the respondents.”
Meanwhile, the house expressed full confidence on the judiciary to deliver justice at the earliest in the matters filed before it and appealed to the rank and file of the party to be patient and await the outcome of the Court verdicts.
The house also condoled the demise of two veteran party leaders– Zaku Tsukru (September 17, 2017) and Viyekha Apon, ex-MLA (September 18, 2017).
Paid crowd at DDSC convention, says Azo
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEP 20 (NPN): DAN chairman and NPF legislature party leader, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienü, MLA took a dig at the rival NPF group’s General Convention held at DDSC stadium Dimapur on Wednesday, saying the crowd constituted mostly of non-Nagas, who were paid to attend the convention.
Speaking at the NPF Dimapur division consultative meeting here at NPF Dimapur division office, Landmark colony, Azo went on to hit out at the rival group by accusing them of being “a pack of wolves in sheep clothing”.
Azo also alleged that some non-NPF legislators had also accompanied T.R. Zeliang and Neiphiu Rio to the convention.
Despite all odds, Azo said he was impressed by the huge turnout of genuine party workers and called upon the gathering not to envy the rival group but to remain steadfast and lead the people on the right track under the legitimate NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu.
Terming the recent political development within the NPF party as blessing in disguise, Azo said it was a God given opportunity to the party before the general election. This way, he said the party was now in a position to allocate party tickets to the best and winnable candidates for the forth coming election particularly the youth and womenfolk. He said the recent political development has rather freed the party from facing the anti-incumbency factors.
Pointing out that the “unconstitutional ministry” of T.R. Zeliang would not be able to go beyond October, citing various cases like the disqualification issue, office of profit, CBI enquiry on Pillai scam, fuel adulteration and PDS scams.
On Naga solution, he said NPF was always for an inclusive settlement to the vexed Naga issue, acceptable to all. Until the time the final solution is arrived at before the 2018 election, he said the party would be ready to face the polls.
Also addressing the party workers, Tohanba, MLA said described those present at the meeting as torch bearers of the party.
Explaining the reason why they were with Dr. Shürhozelie, Tohanba said it was not because of anything but the trust and confidence in his leadership, being the original regional party representative of the “cock symbol”. He further said that the reason behind having two different groups was because of the outsiders, who were trying to hijack the party. Tohanba further alleged that the intention of T.R. Zeliang, Neiphiu Rio with the influence of Governor, P.B. Acharya was to merge with the BJP.
He said it was an irony that the Governor, who has been vocal against corruption, had illegally installed a corrupt government.
“God knows who will be the true leader for our people and so, let the Election Commission of India and the Court come out with the verdict,” he added.
Short speeches were also delivered by NPF central vice president, Pusazo Luruo, associate press secretary NPF central, Phushika Aomi; CEC Ghaspani-I, Kakheho Chishi and president NPF women wing Dimapur division, Vepra Nyekha.
Earlier, the meeting was chaired by NPF central secretary and assistant in-charge Dimapur division, Hotoshe Sumi, while invocation was pronounced by associate pastor DABA, Imnatoshi Longkumer. Welcome address was delivered by NPF Dimapur division vice president, Aonumkum and vote of thanks by NPF Dimapur division youth wing general secretary (adm), Temsuyanger Jamir. The meeting was attended by NPF members of five assembly constituencies, minority wing, farmer’s wing, youth wing and women wing under Dimapur division.