Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Nagaland state convenor Miathou Krose has clarified that former president of NCP Nagaland Er. Semdok withdrew the special leave petition (SLP) pending in the Supreme Court against its former three MLAs without informing NCP state officials and executive members.
Reacting to various recent write-ups in the local media with regard to removal of Er. T.L. Semdok as NCP Nagaland president, Miathou Kros said he along with NCP legislator was also present during the discussion with chief minister T.R. Zeliang and DAN chairman Dr. Shürhozelie, wherein they (NCP) were requested to consider withdrawing the SLP pending in the Supreme Court.
Miathou Krose said he however responded that central leaders of NCP would never allow the state unit to withdraw the SLP as it has to be processed through the senior counsel who heads the NCP’s national legal cell and would only invite disciplinary action. Krose said he had also requested Er. Semdok “not to take such a drastic step”, but he “unfortunately” went ahead “without even informing us or NCP state officials and executive members.”
Krose said their presence in the discussion should therefore not be misconstrued as an approval for the withdrawal letter submitted by Er.Semdok on September 17, 2015.
Further, NCP state convenor said the “unfortunate development” within the NCP thereafter did not change the stand of NCP and reaffirmed further support to the all-party DAN government.
Stating that SLP in the Supreme Court pertained to question of law in the 10th schedule of the Constitution of India, he said it should not be seen as impediment to the ongoing peace process.
According to Krose, the prime minister had spoken to NCP national president Sharad Pawar about framework agreement signed on August 3, 2015 between government of India and NSCN (I-M) though the details of the agreement were not known.
NCP state convenor said Pawar reaffirmed his earlier assurance that NCP would lend its support to a peaceful settlement that was acceptable to all sections of the Nagas. Therefore, Krose said it was “inappropriate to seek refuge behind the Indo-Naga political issue for any misadventure.”
With regard to NCP units of Longleng and Tuensang districts resolving to approach the national president Sharad Pawar for revocation of the suspension order served on Er.Semdok, Krose assured NCP leaders of two districts that he would also urge central leaders to positively consider their plea in the larger interest of the party. Krose added that he had accepted the present responsibility not by choice but out of necessity and compulsion.
Meanwhile, Krose appealed to all party officials not to create further misunderstanding within the party.