State BJP on Monday clarified that the suspension of two of its leaders – former minister and State executive member Kheto Sema and State vice-president Tsasepi Sangtam – was withdrawn in February this year. The clarification follows former chief minister TR Zeliang asking NDPP through a statement as to why it did not try and influence BJP to withdraw the suspension of the latter’s two leaders.
It may be mentioned that Sema and Sangtam, who were signatories to a joint statement issued by several organisations on January 29 this year calling for solution to Naga issue before Assembly election, were suspended by BJP on disciplinary grounds.
A statement issued by media cell of the party explained that BJP, being a national party, had to abide by directives of its central leaders and the two leaders were suspended accordingly due to a communication gap. However, with due consultation with the central leaders later, the suspension order was revoked in the “larger interest” of the party during the second week of February, which was widely published in the print media, it added.
BJP further pointed out that the issue took place during the DAN regime, when BJP was an alliance partner under the chief ministership of T.R. Zeliang and not with the NDPP.
Meanwhile, BJP said it was amused at learning that Zeliang was concerned about its internal matters when NPF faced a bigger predicament of its own like the Manipur unit differing from its parent body’s stance. BJP reminded Zeliang that the party was competent enough to take care of its internal issue as it has its high command to guide it.
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