NPF Central has cautioned its legislators that chief minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, who was elected as the leader of the NPF Legislature Party and the DAN Legislature Party on meetings held on February 20, 2017 still remains the leader of the NPF Legislature Party as well as the DAN Legislature Party.
In this regard, the NPF has informed MLAs that the purported meeting held on July 4, 2017 at Dimapur wherein resolutions were adopted, “is not a valid meeting of the NPF Legislature Party.” NPF working presidents—Apong Pongener and Huskha Yepthomi in the notice to MLAs, further reminded that as per protocol only the leader of the Legislature Party can summon the members of the Legislature Party, that too, after notice to each Member with the date, time and venue of such meeting. “A meeting of some of the NPF party Legislators does not mean a meeting of all the NPF Party Legislators to a meeting summoned by the Leader of the Legislature Party,” NPF stated.
Further, NPF cautioned its MLAs to carefully note that there has been no split or merger of the NPF party. “The NPF Party remains united and in full and complete support of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and the council of ministers,” it added. Though the dissenting MLAs may claim that they have majority in numbers, NPF however said that they must not lose sight of the fact that they continue to be MLAs of the NPF party.
While reminding the MLAs of the 10th Schedule under the Constitution, the party warned the MLAs that “…an elected member of a House shall be deemed to belong to the political party, if any, by which he was set up as a candidate for election as such member;…”
In this regard, the party has asked the MLAs to take note that the party had authorized Kiyaneilie Peseyie, MLA (Minister Social Welfare) to issue directions for matters contemplated under the above quoted provisions of the Tenth Schedule.
NPF said that the NLA had also endorsed and/or recognized the appointment of Kiyaneilie Peseyie as the Chief Whip of the NPF Legislature Party with effect from November 14, 2014.
NPF has asked its MLAs to strictly note that the Chief Whip was Peseyie and none other.
“The Members of the NPF Legislature Party are therefore hereby directed to adhere to the decisions of the NPF Party,” the working presidents stated.