Show cause notices to 6 NPF legislators
Stung by the open rebellion of its seven NPF legislators who have announced their decision to support the PDA consensus candidate in the Lok Sabha election, the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) of NPF has issued a show cause notices to six of the seven legislators. Though the joint statement on March 25 contained the names of seven NPF legislators, only six of them had attested their signatures. The name without the signature was that of C.L.John.
The others who signed the joint statement included – Kejong Chang, E.E. Pangteang, Eshak Konyak, B.S. Nganlang, N. Thongwang Konyak and Toyang Chang.
Though NPF legislator, C.L. John had extended his support to the PDA government, he was reportedly out of station and could not sign the letter.
DAC convener Blaise Iheilung and secretary Tsumongo Ovung in the show cause, asked the six MLAs to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them and to submit their replies within seven days, i.e., on or before April 2, 2019.
They DAC charged the legislators of hobnobbing with NDPP which was corroborated by local papers and termed their activities as a “total breach of party discipline and inimical to the party’s principle”. The DAC pointed out to the legislators that their activities directly attracted Article XIV, para 2 Clause (b) & (c) of the party constitution.
Further, the DAC reminded the six MLAs that they have been elected to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly as NPF candidates and that while handing them party tickets they had signed a pledge to remain faithful and loyal to the party constitution and subject to party discipline.
On the same day on March 25, when Nagaland Post had contacted, some of the rebel MLAs, they said they were compelled to support the ruling government under pressure from their supporters most of who resigned from NPF.
On Tuesday, NPF leaders including senior legislators could not be contacted though it was learnt that the party legislature and senior party leaders held a marathon meeting.
The rebel NPF legislators face an arduous challenge of escaping provisions under the Anti Defection Law since they have issued a signed statement in declaring support to the PDA coalition government and its consensus candidate.
In addition, the other evidence against them is the photograph which showed them with PDA consensus candidate Tokheho, PDA chief minister Neiphiu Rio and PDA chairman Chingwang Konyak.
According to NPF sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, the party may not be in a hurry to act against its rebel MLAs but preferring instead, to wait till after the Lok Sabha election.
Though NPF is still the single largest party with 26 MLAs, it has not fielded any candidate for the lone Lok Sabha seat for Nagaland primarily since there were few takers and no suitable candidates.
This decision may have rankled some of its party MLAs and workers who would have preferred to work for their own candidate instead of backing a candidate from another party.
NPF, Congress yet to announce pact