NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie announced the suspension of two more NPF legislators- Noke Wangnao and Imkong L.Imchen- from the primary and active membership of the party with immediate effect, until further orders , taking the total number of suspended members to nine, as seven others were suspended on January 5.
Addressing media here at the NPF Central Office, Dr. Shürhozelie said the nine suspended legislators would have no participatory or voting rights in political/legislature forum but could vote on the floor of the house, in accordance with the party whip.
The NPF president clarified that the current crisis within the NPF legislature was not the creation of the NPF party but the creation of a few “ambitious people” adding, it was a “shameful thing for Naga leaders”. He also disclosed that the Governor held the view that issue be resolved within the NPF legislators and for which the party was considering whether the chief minister, as the legislature party leader should convene a meeting of the NPF legislature.
Dr. Shürhozelie maintained that the NPF still considered the BJP an important DAN partner. On recent press statements, Dr. Shürhozelie lamented that some BJP legislators were with the dissident group and said that if the legislators don’t vacate the dissident camp, then they would be liable for action from the BJP . He said if BJP decided to withdraw from DAN, then the state unit president Dr.M.Chuba Ao and BJP legislature party leader Paiwaing Konyak should intimate the DAN chairman, the Speaker and Chief Minister about the matter. Dr. Shürhozelie also drew his attention on the statement issued by the state BJP general secretary (admn) Vihoshe Sumi who informed that the central BJP leadership had asked the state BJP legislators to withdraw the statement on election of the leader of the BJP legislature and the chief whip.
On the reason for the NPF requesting the Governor to summon a special session of the assembly for a vote on a confidence motion, Dr. Shürhozelie said it was because a number of legislators in the dissident camp were not there at their will. Dr. Shürhozelie said the NPF did not want the confusion and crisis to prolong for which chief minister T.R.Zeliang had requested the Governor to summon a special session of the assembly in order to decide the fate of the government through democratic process.
The NPF president expressed full confidence in the wisdom and maturity of the Governor in taking the right decision as he was well acquainted with the state and the region for several years as BJP in-charge of North East.
He alleged that some of the legislators who were on their way to Kohima were “hijacked by the dissident group” .
Further,he said a floor test would reveal the ground reality and if the dissident group defied the party whip in voting against the motion, then they would attract disqualification on themselves.
Dr. Shürhozelie expressed optimism that the legislators would not go against the party government and added, that DAN government under T.R.Zeliang would win the floor test. He said Zeliang had to keep supporters within a camp since the dissidents were using force and would not even hesitate to cause harm.
On the genesis of the crisis, Dr. Shürhozelie said when Neiphu Rio wanted to contest the Lok Sabha after ruling the state for 11 years, the party and alliance partners worked to ensure a landslide victory.
When NPF legislators wanted a smooth transition, Dr. Shürhozelie said Rio came up with a “strange proposal” to appoint Noke Wangnao as chief minister but that Noke himself declined for health reasons.He said the next in line were T.R.Zeliang, Kaito and Imkong Imchen but subsequently, the legislators unanimously elected T.R.Zeliang as the next chief minister. After the initial crisis calmed down, he said Kaito was again propped up to challenge T.R.Zeliang and that had led to the current situation.
Dr. Shürhozelie claimed the Rio and other NPF leaders had gone to Delhi to report against NPF that it was trying to take the help of Congress, in order to create mistrust with central BJP leaders in Delhi. However, he said BJP leaders were matured and would not blindly accept anything because “they all know who is who”.
On reports that Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio and Rajya Sabha MP Khekiho Zhimomi were backing the dissidents, he mentioned that Rio had himself wanted to join national politics and so should complete his five-year tenure. However, he said since Rio was indulging in dissident activity, the reason was known but only to him whether he has changed his mind to return to state politics or for what other reasons.
He also termed the appointment of Kaito as dissident NPF legislature party leader and Azo Neinu as chief whip as “unauthorised and only to create confusion as they have not legal sanction to do so”.
The dissident group meeting and floating parallel leadership and bodies was unconstitutional” and that the dissident group ad gone to Delhi only to misinform the central leaders.
He said by rushing to Delhi, the dissidents showed no faith in the Governor for acting in accordance with constitutional norms. On likelihood of President’s Rule, Dr.Shürhozelie said it would all depend on the outcome and the Governor’s decision.
NPF working president Huska also spoke said T.R.Zeliang was not a magician to bring Naga solution within seven months when Rio had not been able to do anything despite being chief minister for 11 years. On the financial crisis, Huska said T.R. Zeliang has not receive any additional money whereas he inherited a huge deficit of Rs.1234 crore left behind by Neiphiu Rio.
Huska demanded the Rio should answer to public through media as why he had created such a huge deficit. He also said if NPF dissidents wanted a change of leadership, then they should do it within the party forum but not outside.
Huska also said if T.R. Zeliaing did not have good rapport with the Centre then how did prime minister Narendra Modi grace Hornbill Festival, whereas under Rio then prime minister Dr.Singh did not officially visit the state except to campaign for election?
NPF working president Apong Pongener said Rayja Sabha MP Khekiho had told him that “inner democracy” should prevail. However he asked how could it be so when they (MPs) wanted to throw out the chief minister without endorsement of party and legislators?
Apong also said the MP told him that T.R. Zeliang should use the same yardstick as Noke when the latter withdrew from the race for chief minister but pointed that at that time there was no chief minister and currently there are no vacant posts of chief ministers.
Thursday, February 19, 2026