Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu along with a team of Naga People’s Front (NPF) Central office bearers, president of NPF Manipur state unit and a host of NPF legislators submitted the party’s reply with proof of evidence, in support of the stand of being the original NPF party to Election Commission of India (ECI) Monday.
Sources in Delhi informed Nagaland Post that the Dr. Shürhozelie also submitted documentary evidence and also the support of the declaration in the form of an affidavit by four Manipur NPF MLAs to the Election Commission of India.
Dr. Shürhozelie was accompanied by the secretary general K.G. Kenye, working president, home minister Y. Patton, Rural Development minister C. L John, NH & ME minister Nuklutoshi, parliamentary secretary CAWD, Eco & Stats Tohanba, advisor DUDA Thongwang and president NPF Manipur state unit.
According to the sources, on receipt of the documents submitted by Dr. Shürhozelie, the ECI has asked the rival NPF led by Noke to file its reply within seven days.
The sources further said the outcome of the matter regarding claims and counter-claims over which of the two is to be recognized as the NPF, would be announced sometime by March first week.
Another MLA joins Zeliang
Meanwhile, in another significant development and a boost to the NPF led by Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and chief minister T.R. Zeliang, former agriculture minister Dr. Benjongliba Aier has left the Sovima camp and has backed the NPF legislature headed by chief minister T.R. Zeliang.
Dr. Benjonliba was by the side of chief minister T.R. Zeliang in New Delhi Monday, the source said.
Dr. Benjongliba’s return comes after another legislator from Sovima camp, Deo Nukhu fled to Kohima and joined chief minister T.R. Zeliang’s group.
It was disclosed, that Dr. Benjongliba had been stationed in Kohima for the last few days in connection with the hearing at the court of the Vigilance Commission scheduled on February 18.
Highly placed sources informed Nagaland Post that Dr. Benjonliba had flown to Delhi and joined chief minister and his team Monday afternoon.
The sources further informed that after reaching Delhi, Dr. Benjongliba had issued a written and signed statement expressing his support to Dr. Shurhozelie.
The copy of the signed statement was also enclosed with other documents which were submitted to Election Commission of India.
NPF (Noke) clarifies
Meanwhile, NPF press and media cell (Noke) said it was constrained to issued a statement to “ clear the air and to allow facts to float in the political atmosphere of the state.”
The media cell said Dr. Shürhozelie “with full hesitation replied to the Commission (ECI) only in the last hour” on the last day on February 16.
It said that, “given the gravity of the issue”, the ECI had “sagaciously granted seven days to Noke president NPF” to give the reply along with Dr. Shürhozelie’s response.
The media cell said the ECI will pronounce its judgment after studying “the matter meticulously basing on precedence, the constitution and various Hon’ble Supreme Court judgments”.
It urged upon public to “remain calm and to exercise some patience” since the issue was “prejudice in the court of the Commission”.
Sunday, April 26, 2026