Points out ‘illegal disqualifications & suspensions’
NPF party led by Noke Wangnao in a statement issued by its press and media cell, has cited reasons under which it was compelled to “remove the erstwhile president Dr. Shürhozelie due to his autocratic, dictatorial and unconstitutional actions”.
Citing one instance, it said instead of being neutral and allowing “inner democracy to prevail” in respecting the majority view of NPF legislature party, Dr. Shürhozelie, instead “resorted to illegal disqualifications and suspensions” of MLAs who sided with the majority.
The suspension orders were not only unconstitutional but had deeply hurt the sentiments and “the people and the party organisation” it said.
Citing “another dictatorial style of functioning”, the press and media cell accused Dr. Shürhozelie of setting up core groups for his desired purpose and appointing a core group that re-elected him as “president”.
Terming Dr. Shürhozelie’s election as “unconstitutional” the cell said it showed his style of functioning and such were the reasons for removing him as president and suspending his membership of the party.
The NPF press and media cell further informed rank and file and public that the party under Noke Wangnao “is the legitimate and recognised cock symbol party and any other organisation claiming to be so, is unauthorised”.
Justifying the stand, the press and media cell maintained that the Election Commission of India would recognise any party that has majority of elected members supporting it, since in democracy the voice of the majority was considered “as the ultimate voice of the people”.
It stated that the NPF led by Noke Wangnao and G. Kaito Aye, has 22 legislators out of 37 (excluding the Speaker) including two MPs all of who support Noke as party chief and Kaito as legislature party leader.
The press and media cell cited the case in 1971 between the Indira Gandhi faction of the Congress versus Congress (O).
It said the Election Commission of India ruled the Indira Gandhi faction as the real Congress and allowed it to call the Indian National Congress, without any suffix and restored the frozen symbol to the party.
Similar instances cited by it included the case in 1995, when the Election Commission of India ruled in favour of N. Chandrababu Naidu group of the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) which had an overwhelming majority of MLAs after N.T. Rama Rao was removed as president Chandrababu Naidu made president. The ECI also recognised TDP led by Naidu as the original party and allotted it the party symbol and also overruling the claim by Lakshmi Parvati, wife of N.T. Rama Rao.
Similarly, the press and media cell said the NPF led by Noke Wangnao was the legitimate and recognised group as it has majority of the office bearers, assembly units, divisions and overwhelming number of 22 MLAs besides both the Members of Parliament.
Taking all into consideration, the press and media cell said there was no dispute on which side had majority and therefore, appealed to all party men and women to join the mainstream and move ahead together “in the interest of the state and our people, under our collective motto- Fide non Armis, instead of a confrontationist approach.”
Noke Wangnao expresses gratitude
Noke Wangnao, president of NPF party (Noke-Kaito) said he accepted the responsibility as party president, as he was moved by the solidarity, enthusiasm and expressions of faith and trust reposed on him by the MLAs and multitude of party rank and file .
In a statement, Noke said that on understanding the sentiments and aspirations including the prevailing political situation, he accepted the responsibility to carry out the programmes and policies of the party that he loved throughout his life.
Taking a dig at his long time colleague Dr.Shurhozelie, Noke said it would not be out of place to state that the “ex-president” started destroying the party “we have painstakingly build up for years together”.
Stating that he would be failing on his part , if he did not “rescue this noble party I dearly care”, Noke said keeping this in mind, he has started working for the integrity and secure future of the party so as to deliver goods to the people.
He appealed to the party rank and file to extend their cooperation towards the endeavour, notwithstanding whatever turmoil unfolded. He also appealed to MLAs “held under captivity of T.R.Zeliang, the minority chief minister and Dr.Shurhozelie ex-president NPF” to join hands and work together and assured both, that they would be “treated with honour and dignity without any prejudice or discrimination”.
Thursday, February 19, 2026