Kohima’s landmark Khuochiezie ground was packed with several thousand active members of NPF (Dr. Shürhozelie) for the party’s General Convention here on Wednesday, convened as per the directives of the Election Commission of India to resolve the internal crisis where the CEC was to take a majority decision about the party leadership.
The convention took around four hours since 11 a.m. while the heart of Kohima experienced a massive traffic snarl for over two hours prior to the start of the convention.
All the 20,000 chairs set up inside the ground were fully occupied and even the surrounding galleries were also almost fully packed. All eleven NPF Divisions from across Nagaland attended in full strength including presidents of NPF units of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
The NPF Central had arranged 19,000 ballot papers and 16 ballot boxes in the event of any contest for the post of party president against the incumbent (Dr. Shürhozelie). The process of election was set in motion by Presiding Officer and NPF secretary general, K.G. Kenye when he announced to party workers thrice, that the contest was open if anyone wanted to nominate any candidate of their choice for the post of party president. However, since none came forward to file nomination, Kenye put the motion to vote, which was adopted by unanimous voice-vote by around 21,000 party members by which Dr. Shürhozelie was reaffirmed as president of NPF till 2020.
Addressing the mammoth gathering, the re-elected NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie echoed the concerns of party members about the ongoing stalemate between two NPF factions but exuded confidence that the issue would be settled amicably.
He hit out at the periodic political instability in the state during the current 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly by blaming those members responsible for making the house into a sham.
Turning on those who had labelled him as a dictator with an autocratic style of functioning, Shürhozelie dismissed them as false and instead it reflected the character of those levelling such accusations.
He described NPF as one of the oldest regional parties in the country and how he had taken great care to ensure that democratic processes were contained while drafting the party’s constitution. Shürhozelie reiterated that no decision in the party was taken without relevant sections of the constitution. He also urged upon all party men and women to be familiar with provisions of the party’s constitution and to set examples as good leaders.
He accused certain leaders, who did not have any respect for the party constitution, of being responsible for the current imbroglio which was also facilitated by Governor P.B. Acharya.
He lamented that the Governor was key in humiliating the country’s constitution.
Shürhozelie expressed the hope that the NPF party would get an opportunity to project the actual picture before the Centre and try to correct the wrongs the Governor had committed. Shürhozelie expressed doubts whether the Central government was even aware of the political situation in the State. He pointed out that if indeed the Centre was aware then the Government of India had rendered the Constitution of India irrelevant in Nagaland.
Referring to the previous crisis in which Election Commission of India (ECI) had favoured resolution by convening a General Convention, Shürhozelie said the same people have dragged NPF to ECI court again, and ECI has again issued similar directive to convene the convention.
As the issue was with the ECI, he said the party would take all measures to comply with the ECI directive and exuded confidence that the impasse would soon end.
He urged party workers not to be discouraged as the party was going to overcome the present crisis. Shürhozelie informed that the present allies of DAN are state NCP and JD (U) units which have no official connection with their parent organisations.
Speaking about the dialogue between New Delhi and representatives of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), Shürhozelie appreciated the Centre for taking all stakeholders on board for talks in order to resolve the long-standing Indo-Naga political problem and said Naga people wanted peace and would stand for it.
He also backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative of checking corruption at all levels by saying that a strong hand was required to root out the menace not only at the political level, but also at the bureaucratic and judicial levels.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Church for a ‘clean election’ and wished that every soul listened to the voice of the Church for a better future.
In his brief address, legislator C.L. John said some Naga leaders may not know the NPF constitution, but ECI knew it in detail. He said NPF leaders would give way for any acceptable and honourable solution coming through at any point of time and not only during elections, as the rival camp was propagating.
Vikheho Swu, MLA thanked NPF leaders for maintaining the party for almost half a century. He referred to the recent visit of ECI observer, who met representatives of all political parties except NDPP adding that NDPP should nurture itself instead of trying to destroy NPF.
Swu urged the party workers not to fight for “Who was right” but to fight for “What was right”.
In his address, Kuzholuzo Nienu MLA and legislature party leader said the current political stalemate had a negative impact on Naga society and admitted that the division within NPF family was breaking the very backbone of the party.
Azo said NPF had suffered betrayal and treason of the highest degree, but he vowed to stand by the party. He regretted that the Governor, Speaker and even the courts had humiliated and ignored the legitimate government and asserted that NPF (Shürhozelie) was the legitimate political party and so deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.
Stating that the Indo-Naga political talks had reached a crucial stage, Azo, however, said the solution must be inclusive, besides being honourable and acceptable.
He also appealed to NSCN (K) and NNC led by Adinno Phizo to join the on-going peace process so that the political problems of Nagas were resolved once and for all.
On Shürhozelie’s call to all former NPF leaders to return to the party, Azo said it spoke volumes about the former’s commitment and dedication to save the party from further disintegration.
Azo also advised that as a political party NPF should prepare for the forthcoming general election and reminded everyone that the party was at a critical juncture and that what was being done today would determine its future course.
NPF (Shürhozelie) Manipur unit president W Morung Makunga and NPF (Shürhozelie) Arunachal Hill unit president Haapa Taidong also spoke at the convention.
In his brief address, Makunga said Nagas’ identity was recognized in Manipur with the elected NPF MLAs. He said Naga MLAs in Manipur had left the party, except the MLA from Ukhrul. He, however, said the State unit remained steadfast with NPF.
Makunga said though more than 300 party loyalists were planning to attend the General Convention only 180 of them could attend owing to transportation problems. He assured that the party in Manipur was still strong and would remain with the party.
On his part, Taidong recalled the downfall of NPF during the earlier election as the party had set up too many candidates without being filtered. He informed the gathering that since the party was now properly set, he appealed for identification of winnable candidates for the next general elections and extended unconditional support to the party.
Later, NPF (Shürhozelie) spokesperson and MLA Yitachu read out the resolutions and put up for adoption before the gathering. The programme was chaired by P Longon, MLA.
4-point resolution
NPF party during its General Convention held at Khuochiezie (Local Ground), Kohima adopted a four-point resolution. According to the resolution committee convenor, Yitachu and members– Y. Vikheho Swu, Dr. Chotisuh Sazo, T. Torechu, R. Tohanba, Achumbemo Kikon and Sebastian Zumvu, the following points were adopted by the party.
Party organisation: NPF reiterated its support for the decisions adopted at the General Conventions held on November 26, 2014 and April 30, 2015 recognizing the leadership of president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu as the one and only president of the NPF for the tenure 2015-20. The 21,000-plus active members present also approved and resolved to stand firm behind Dr. Liezietsu and work tirelessly for the greater glory of the party. Being a founding member of the National Democratic Alliance in 1977, the party said “it shall be the endeavour of the NPF to contribute its mite to the overall benefit of the people of the region and the country.”
Political: NPF resolved to extend its unflinching support to the ongoing peace process between the Government of India, the NSCN (I-M) and the Naga National Political Groups. The party also placed on record its happiness over the understanding arrived at and the progress made to resolve the Naga political problem.
They further reiterated their stand that the party shall step aside in the event of the realization of a negotiated political settlement that is honorable and acceptable to all sections of the Naga people. This commitment is to be honoured on any day, be it in one day, one week, one month, one year or at any time.
Economic Development: NPF resolved to supplement the Act East Policy of the Government of India and to let the people of the region actively participate and benefit from trade and commerce with the South East Asian nations, it shall be the endeavour of the NPF to pursue with the Government of India the construction of a Trans-border National Highway along the Indo-Myanmar border, covering the North-eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. The resolution included the resolve that the North-eastern region should not be a mere corridor for trade and commerce with the neighbouring countries, but should be converted into a hub of business where locals directly participate and benefit from the trade.
Corruption-free Governance: The NPF party also resolved that they shall continue to pursue corruption-free governance and to bring about social justice and equitable development. “Transparency and accountability shall be the mantra of the NPF party and its Government as exemplified during the brief tenure of Dr. Shürhozelie-led DAN government earlier this year”, the resolution said.