Imkong L. Imchen, spokesperson for the NPF (Kaito group) has reiterated that the decision for change of leadership was because T.R. Zeliang’s leadership had failed on several counts. Imchen listed the following as reasons why the NPF(Kaito group) voted out T.R. Zeliang:
1. Despite sufficient time given, T.R. Zeliang had totally failed to provide “efficient administration” to run the government in an effective manner as it was faced with many crisis and instability became the order of the day;
2. Blatant and random appointments of elected members as advisers and chairmen of various government agencies by deviating from rules of executive business that made a mockery of government norms and also undermining elected members;
3. Disqualification of three BJP legislators under T.R.Zeliang’s leadership which antagonised BJP and NDA government and burning bridges that were built by NPF and DAN with NDA for the past ten years. The animosity with BJP and NDA adversely impacted the state in all areas;
4. Peace process put on backburner by the present leadership and change in political stand of NFP;
5. Wrong decisions and policy with regard to exploration of oil and natural gas resources which has adversely impacted the state especially civil societies and citizens of the state;
6. Incorporation of NCP, which is not a pre-poll alliance of DAN into DAN ministry which was done in an arbitrary manner, without clearance of DAN Coordination Committee;
7. Till date no single sitting of DAN Coordination Committee held and lack of cohesiveness within DAN ever since change of guard. Only after T.R. Zeliang lost majority support was DAN meeting held on January 9;
Imchen said the above were “some of the many failures of the present leadership besides others like financial mismanagement, corruption etc. In a strong warning, Imchen also issued notice on government machinery “not to obey the order of the present government under T.R.Zeliang as it has become an unconstitutional government as it has lost the support and confidence of the majority”. Further, he made it clear to government servants and bureaucrats “not to clear files on the orders of the present government” and that “any government official doing so, would be responsible as the responsibility would be fixed once a popular government takes over.”
Further Imchen also demanded that the state enforcement agencies under the chief secretary and DGP “ to immediately release” MLAs from the NPF president’s custody kept “under forced confinement and under house arrest in the Hotel Oriental Grand”. Imchen also claimed, that on Saturday evening, some “armed elements were sent” to the residence of Torechu in Dimapur to “kidnap him from his house on the instance of Shri T.R. Zeliang”. However, he said due to presence of policy security, Torechu could not be abducted. Imchen said “this is what the present illegal government has started to resort to” and condemned the action as totally undermining the people’s mandate.
He said it was imperative the NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie take a neutral stand and pacify and mediate between the “warring legislators” to prevent divisions by taking the opportunity to strengthen the party for an amicable solution through reconciliation.
However, Imchen said he was shocked that instead Dr.Shürhozelie has openly sided with the minority group led by T.R.Zeliang contrary to the party constitution and which was unbecoming of a president of a political party.
Imchen accused Dr. Shürhozelie of having violated the sanctity and norms of party democracy and for which majority of NPF legislators felt “intentionally and directly insulted” by his action. Instead of bringing unity and harmony in the party, Imchen said Dr. Shürhozelie himself “committed breach of party discipline and is destroying the party”.
He also said it was “crystal clear” that T.R.Zeliang camp have decided to take the support of Congress and it was for this reason, that they wanted a special session of the house “hoping to garner majority with Congress assistance”. Imchen reiterated that they wanted only change of leadership and not change of government but that T.R. Zeliang’s move was for change of government and composition of DAN, a member of NDA.
Thursday, February 19, 2026