NPF reiterated that it stood by statements of its legislators made at the party’s Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting in Kohima on November 29 (which was reported in the media the next day).
According to NPF Media & Press Bureau, all matters and any problems vis-à-vis the party’s affairs and policies are discussed, deliberated or debated at the CEC meeting. NPF reiterated that CEC is the highest platform of NPF formed as per Article IV:3 and encompassing members from all levels and sections of the party.
It further pointed out that on November 29 at the CEC, several issues were discussed and deliberated pertaining to the NPF and in which speakers, mostly ministers and in charge of various divisions (districts) voice and shared views and opinions and positions at the grass root.
During the course of proceedings, NPF said “certain instances, unpleasant for NPF and BJP of the DAN alliance, also crept up following the state Governor P.B. Acharya’s statement in the media, criticizing the state government as corrupt and subsequently, the Nagaland state BJP submitting a representation to the state Governor, terming and accusing the DAN government as corrupt”.
NPF pointed out that the discussion veered round the fact that the Governor of a state meant the state government was the Governor’s own government and whether it would be wise for the Governor to say “My corrupt government” while addressing the assembly.
NPF also slammed BJP, a close and old ally who has been sharing power in DAN for years on engaging in blame game and “sheer falsehood” to indict NPF as being “corrupt” or giving BJP a step-motherly treatment.
On one minister’s criticism against the Governor for visiting villages unannounced, NPF said it was in view of the fact that the Governor functions as per parliamentary system. NPF said pre-information was needed before visiting villages so that arrangements were made properly for the visiting head of state and to avoid hardships, confusion and misunderstanding.
On the status of Nagaland BJP president as vice chairman of DAN, NPF said as pointed out by BJP spokesman, this matter should be sorted out at the right forum.
NPF reiterated that while it stood by the statements of its legislators on November 29, some of the points raised were reported out of context in local dailies. It said while legislators voiced concern over various issues, it also touched on activities of the Governor because of “prevailing total communication gap between Raj Bhavan and the legislators”.
NPF said CEC maintained that the integrity of Raj Bhavan should be maintained and that no political party, including BJP should misuse it. The meeting said the Governor could have been more diplomatic while expressing his views since he was head of the state.
Hitting back at the BJP, NPF asked BJP not to be agitated because the BJP itself had raked-up the differences within their alliance. NPF reminded BJP that both parties have to take blame or credit as DAN partners but instead BJP seemed to be “acting holier than thou”.
It said BJP should realise that it won only one seat in 2013. NPF said the reason the state BJP “has suddenly become so arrogant” was because of the NDA running the union government.
Patton clarifies: After denouncing the Governor at the November 29 CEC meeting in Kohima, Nagaland Home Minister Y.Patton has drawn attention on the November 30 news report which quoted him as saying “Raj Bhavan has been turned into a place for RSS, BJP and Heraka”.
In a clarification issued through his PS, the minister claimed he was quoted out of context. Patton said he had only said that “not only the RSS, BJP and other section of people but NPF leaders should also pay a courtesy visit to the Governor from time to time, as he is the head of the state.”
Claiming that a portion of his speech was not reported, Patton said as an elected member, he held the “highest respect for the Governor.” Patton therefore, expressed his deepest concern that, “at any cost, the propriety and sanctity of the Raj Bhavan should be maintained.”