Spokesperson of NPF (Kaito), Imkong L. Imchen has described as “most unfortunate” and unbecoming of chief minister T.R. Zeliang to have accused “two seniormost and prolific leaders, respected and highly regarded both in the region as well as nationally- Neiphiu Rio, Lok Sabha MP and Khekiho Zhimomi, Rajya Sabha MP” of “summoning legislators to campaign and plant seed of dissent”.
In a statement, Imchen said Rio had not even once, summoned legislators individually or collectively to his residence “to discuss such matters”.
On allegation that Khekiho had visited homes of legislators with offers of lucrative portfolios to effect change of leadership, the spokesperson said it was also highly objectionable and absurd and without any factual basis.
Imchen asked T.R. Zeliang to produce evidence failing which, he “will invite defamation suit”.
Further, Imchen seriously questioned the intentions of T.R.Zeliang on why, during the last seven months as chief minister, he “completely ignored and not consulted” the two MPs (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) even once.
He said the people and the Assembly reposed faith and confidence on the two MPs to represent the people in the Parliament to address important matters and issues relating to the state with the Central government.
Imchen said T.R.Zeliang had in fact, “ not even bothered to meet with the Rajya Sabha MP in the last seven months, let alone talking over the telephone”.
He said Zeliang’s accusation that the two Members of Parliament “restarted the dissident campaign instead of attending parliament” was completely false and misleading.
Imking Imchen pointed out that Neiphiu Rio had strongly condemned and objected to the mistreatment of Dimapur bound passengers by officials of Air India at Kolkata in the recently concluded winter Parliament session and had also highlighted the need to bring early solution of the decades old Indo-Naga political problem during Zero hour of the last Winter Parliament session.
In the light of the above, Imchen asked how Zeliang could blatantly lie when the attendance of the MPs was duly recorded in the Parliament?.
The party’s spokesperson also said NPF legislature party(Kaito camp) also demand an explanation from Zeliang for saying that “Rio Villa has been guarded by Rio’s security personnel along with underground cadres of a particular faction”.
He demanded that Zeliang respond with proof and evidence on the allegation and also reveal the name of the “particular faction and to whom the cadres belong”
Imchen said the NPF party (led by Noke) “seriously cautions” Zeliang from making such false allegations without proper proof/evidence as it might even “affect the ongoing Naga political issue” which was first and foremost concern of the NPF.
He said “all members of the NPF Legislature Party currently camping at Sovima would also like to put on record once again that it was a unanimous and collective decision to stay together as a group and that no member was confined forcefully.”
Condemning T.R. Zeliang’s statement that “whoever went to meet them (Memebers of Parliament) were kept in Rio’s villas at Sovima under wrongful confinement” and instead asked Zeliang and Dr. Shürhozelie “to release all the MLAs kept in forceful confinement in the De Oriental Dream at Kohima”.
Agreeing that the NPF aprty (Kaito) had not moved a no confidence motion against T.R Zeliang, Imkong Imchen clarified that it was not to topple the government or cause split of merger or change parties but only for change of leadership.
Imchen said the NPF (Kaito) failed to understand why T.R Zeliang continued to harp on the issue of a floor test unless he himself had other ulterior motives behind such a move.
He said as chief minister of a minority group, T.R. Zeliang should not indulge in “ petty mudslinging and accept the fact that he has lost the majority support of both the NPF and the DAN Legislature party and gracefully step down instead of hopefully clinging on to power”.
Noke calls for DAN co-ordination meet
President of NPF (Kaito group) Noke Wangnao has convened a DAN co-ordination committee meeting January 14, 3.30 p.m. at Niathu Resort, Chumukedima.
In a press release, Noke has requested all members to attend the meeting positively.
Thursday, February 19, 2026