CITES APPEALS BY NGOS FOR RECONCILIATION
In a significant political development, NPF (Noke-Kaito) has withdrawn their petition (Dispute Case No.1 of 2015) from the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking the party’s ‘Cock’ symbol for recognition as the official NPF.
This was revealed in a letter dated April 16, addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, ECI by Noke Wangnao and Nuzota Swuro.
In their letter, the signatories said that the decision to withdraw the case was based on the ECI order on March 27,2015. In the ECI order, the commission had expressed the hope and expectation that the “internal dispute” within NPF would be amicable settled within the framework of the party constitution that would pave the way for the party’s harmonious function but also in the interest of Nagaland “where NPF is the ruling party”.
Further, both Noke and Swuro submitted newspaper clippings to the ECI, containing appeals from mass-based organisations, civil societies and tribal hohos to both NPF groups to “reconcile and amicably settle the differences in the interest of the people of the state”.
They also submitted copes of resolutions adopted by the Central Executive Council (CEC) of the NPF (Noke-Kaito) on March 31, which unanimously adopted the resolution to “work towards reconciliation and unity of the party, in the greater interest of the party’s unity and the people of the state”.
Noke and Swuro stated, that in view of the above, NPF (Noke) president Noke Wangnao had written a letter on April 1, addressed to Dr. Shürhozelie for “reconciliation and unity”. In response, they said Dr. Shürhozelie in his letter dated April 7, “highly” welcomed reconciliation after which, both Noke Wangnao and G. Kaito Aye expressed their appreciation to Dr. Shürhozelie in their letter dated April 8.
Expressing the view that the process of reconciliation and amicable settlement among the NPF groups was “well underway” the signatories informed the ECI of the decision to withdraw the case and do the needful in that regard. They also requested the ECI to inform them about the necessary formalities required to be done by them for withdrawal of the case.
Adds Our Correspondent Kohima: Legislators of NPF (Noke-Kaito) met NPF Central Kohima, president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu Thursday morning and renewed their offer for reconciliation within the party.
Sources from NPF (Noke-Kaito) camp informed Nagaland Post that 13 of the legislators met Dr. Shürhozelie Thursday at around 11.30 a.m. to discuss about their offer for “total reconciliation” within NPF which was made without any condition for ministerial or parliamentary secretary berths.
In view of the ongoing efforts for reconciliation within NPF, the source said the group had submitted the letter to the ECI, seeking withdrawal of the dispute case on April 16.
Meanwhile a reliable source here , informed Nagaland Post that another legislator from the NPF (Noke-Kaito) group had joined the Dr. Shürhozelie/T.R.Zeliang group on Wednesday.
When the NPF led by Noke and Kaito challenged the leadership of chief minister T.R.Zeliang in January 4,2015 , the group had 22 legislators out of 38 party legislators in the house of 60. Three legislators from NPF (Noke-Kaito) -Deo Nukhu, Dr. Benjongliba Aier and Shetoyi then joined T.R. Zeliang’s group to even the number at 19 MLAs in each group.
With the fourth joining T.R.Zeliang, the number has risen to 20 while the number in the NPF (Noke-Kaito) has been reduced to 18. The source also claimed, that one more legislator was also going to join Dr. Shürhozelie/T.R. Zeliang group shortly.
The current internal crisis arising out of tussle for power within the NPF had come out in the open on January 5,2015 with the dissident group having majority of 22 legislators while Dr. Shürhozelie/T.R. Zeliang group had only 16 (though the Speaker can vote in the event of a tie). The NPF (Noke-Kaito) legislature on January 5 elected Kaito as the legislature party leader and the group’s chief minister-in-waiting.
The group then formed a parallel NPF on January 12 with Noke as president and Neiphiu Rio, Khekhiho, Imchalemba and Alemtemshi as advisers.
The group then petitions the ECI for the party symbol as the official NPF.
The ECI issued notices on both camps to file their replies latest by March 13. On the day of hearing, the ECI, directed both contenders to submit their arguments in writing on March 27. However, on March 27 the ECI asked both sides to resolve the issue within the ambit of the NPF constitution and revert back on the outcome.
As directed, both sides convened their respective CEC meeting by March end summing the general convention of the party on April 30.
With the NPF led by Noke and Kaito withdrawing their petition, the NPF crisis may have turned full circle.
The internal tussle for power within the NPF had its genesis from the day then chief minister Neiphiu Rio stepped down after winning the state’s lone Lok Sabha seat in May 2014 but the transition was rough.
The ruling NPF became divided into to camps- a majority of 25 legislators backed T.R. Zeliang and the remaining backing Kaito Aye for chief minister. The camping business started afterthose supporting T.R. Zeliang went to Kaziranga and stayed there for some weeks during May 2014 till Zeliang was sworn-in on May 24.