The Naga People’s Front (NPF) and Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas (LJP-RV) have dismissed rumours circulating on social media suggesting their withdrawal of support from the opposition-less People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government.
NPF: NPF clarified that it was unaware of a purported letter circulating in social media addressed to governor, announcing withdrawal of support by political parties, including NPF, from the present government.
Stating that it did not see any merit in responding to the purported letter, the party in a statement however pointed out that since its name had been dragged into it, it was compelled to clarify that it was unaware of the development and had nothing to do with it
The party also reaffirmed that it remained steadfast in supporting the present government under chief minister Neiphiu Rio.
The party said a letter to this effect had been officially communicated to the chief minister during the formation of the present government, to strengthen the ongoing peace process and to bring about an early and honourable solution to the protracted Naga political issue.
Asserting that it was committed to the resolution of the Naga political issue, the NPF again reiterated its letter of support to the present government for the sake of the Naga political issue.
The party pointed out that once it took a decision, it could not be withdrawn overnight as it was based on a conscious decision.
Although committed on its support to the PDA government, the NPF stated that it was also fully aware that it was a separate political entity whose responsibility was to protect the identity of Naga people in particular and the indigenous people of the Northeast. Hence, even as its support to the government continued, the party clarified that it would not shy away from its responsibility of raise various issues confronting the people, and also for the progress and development of the state.
LJP (RV): LJP (RV) state president S Richard Humtsoe termed the letter circulated on various social media platforms as rumour. LJP (RV) clarified that no key leaders of the coalition political parties had appended signatures and that they were totally unaware of this.
He also confirmed that the letter had not reached any competent authority or official.
He said the LJP (R-V) had two legislators in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and five members in Lok Sabha, with party’s national president Chirag Paswan being the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries. Humtsoe mentioned that the LJP (R-V) continued to support the PDA government under the dynamic and able leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio.