Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio has issued a statement pertaining to “abounding speculation” about his involvement with the newly floated party-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party(NDPP) in order clear misconceptions.
Rio said after being suspended from the NPF in 2015, “some like-minded people” approached him to start a new political party to which he agreed to provide “moral support”.
However, after the recent reconciliation between Dr.Shürhozelie and T.R. Zeliang camps,including ECI’s suggestion and requests of public leaders, Rio said he decided to resign from the post of president of NPF though he was elected by a “whopping majority on September 20,2017 at the General Convention at Dimapur under the chief ministership of T.R.Zeliang and his group of MLAs.” Rio said after he resigned on December 8,2017 he also extended his total support to NPF president Dr.Shürhozelie Liezietsu and also withdrew the case filed before ECI for NPF symbol on December 10, 2017.
In his statement, Rio also mentioned about his political career which began as youth president of UDF in 1974 and his stepping down from the ministry in 1990 headed by late Vamuzo in order to accommodate other legislators.
Rio also said he resigned from the Congress ministry led by Dr.S.C.Jamir in 2002 and revived the NPF through numerous sacrifices and contributions. He said it was due to the Almighty God’s blessings that he could become three-time consecutively as chief minister of NPF-led DAN governments.
Rio declared that after revocation of his suspension form NPF on December 14,2017 and to clear any misunderstanding, it was a natural choice that he remain in NPF to strengthen the party and serve people.
Therefore, in the light of the above, Rio said he has decided to “totally dissociate” himself from the NDPP “in every manner whatsoever” and that he wished the fledgling NDPP well.