I should not be blamed for present crisis: Neiphiu Rio

Lone Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland and former chief minister Neiphiu Rio asserted he should not be blamed for the current crisis in NPF, alleging it was T R Zeliang’s own creation. Answering to questions directed to him during a press conference at Vivor Hotel Kohima Thursday, Rio said the whole crisis started due to Zeliang’s inability to maintain status quo.
He said when portfolios were changed, ministers were dropped and “juniors were made to command over the seniors”, not maintaining ratio and also because of disqualifying NCP MLAs who joined BJP. Further, Rio said Dr. Shürhozelie had also denied meeting them on various occasions.
Maintaining that all these things had created the move for change of leadership, Rio asked “you tell me where is Rio against him? When I had given my support and cooperation when he was unanimously elected?”
When told that his statement contradicted the statement made by Noke and Kaito’s group with regard to the group’s reason for change of leadership, Rio said “why I said that is because I did not call anybody but they (legislators) used to come and complain to me as their former leader and as their CM. So they used to bring their grievances and discuss with me; from there I understand that, so I said that”.
Rio also explained that since he was not consulted for his replacement or before forming the T R Zeliang’s government so he should not be held responsible for the crisis.
Asked whether the fight was now between Zeliang and him as the other group accused him of trying to dismantle the government, Rio replied that Zeliang and group was making such accusations as they were “guilty” and that their guilty conscience was pricking them. On asking why both the Nagaland MPs were involved in NLA matters, Rio replied that they (Khekiho and him) were not involved in the state affairs but was only extending support to the majority in their demand to ECI for ownership of the NPF party. Further, he said the “entire state is my constituency”.
Stating that such move should not be misunderstood, Lok Sabha MP said they were well aware that they have not vote in the assembly, however, as the matter involves the NPF party change of leadership and they extended support to the majority party. Replying to allegations that he was trying to come back to state politics as he was not given a desired position in the centre, Rio rubbished the allegations saying he was happy being the lone MP of Nagaland. He asked what more could the ambition for a man like him be, who was a member of the house, been minister and chief minister for three consecutive times?
Rio said that by God’s blessing and people’s support he had achieved more than what he could imagine, adding that he was content.
“I am very comfortable and happy as MP representing the Nagas.  If I am required anywhere I will work for the people, for the cause for the people for any issues including Naga political issue” said Rio.
When asked why Kaito and Noke group did not resolve the matter within the party and approached the government for change of leadership, Rio said the group had to take such step as the then NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie did not meet Kaito and group. “Since we did not get protection in the party we had to seek the governor’s intervention. The case is now laying in ECI to decide who is to own and who is the real owner of the party” said Rio.
When asked what steps the group would take if ECI refused to recognize Noke as the NPF president, Rio “we will go by the ECI decision, we cannot give our own decision”.
Also, on a query to whether that meant they would join Zeliang ministry, Rio replied in negative referring to some ECI’s past decision taken on similar cases.
Asked whether the group will disperse or continue to remain in camp, the legislators present burst into laughter. Rio then asked “where is T.R. and group camping?” and added “don’t worry they might go home”.
Replying to a poser if the group approached Congress for support for the floor test, MLA Azo said “we requested but they have already committed to TR. It seems they have made agreement prior to us approaching them”.
On this, Rio stated that from day one when T.R. Zeliang though he was in “hopeless minority” Zeliang had already contacted Congress and thus was confident to win in the floor of the house and not within the NPF legislators.
He claimed that Dr. Shürhozelie at the party meeting informed the members they had the support of Congress.