MORE SUSPENSIONS COULD CAUSE MAJOR RIFT IN PARTY
Show cause notices issued on five NPF legislators and suspensions of one MLA including the state’s lone Lok Sabha member, has led several NPF legislators in expressing deep apprehensions that the storm brewing within the party could lead to an unwanted situation in the coming days. As per the contents of the show cause notices, the targeted legislators and the lone MP were charged with ‘anti party’ activities. The legislators had replied to the notices issued by the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) and clarified their respective stands.
The party DAC however deemed the explanations as unsatisfactory and the first to be suspended was veteran NPF leader from Mokokchung Imkong L. Imchen, a three-time minister since 2004.
The next to be suspended was present Lok Sabha MP and three-time chief minister Neiphiu Rio, the politician, who was instrumental in the revival of the regional party (NPC) and who spearheaded three electoral victories for the nascent NPF in 2003 and then in subsequent elections in 2008 and 2013. Three other legislators who have also been served with the show cause notices include- NSMDC chairman, Neiphrezo Keditsu; senior most regional legislator Noke Wangnao and Namri Nchang.
It may not be long before all three would also be issued with suspension orders from the party. All three have also been charged with ‘anti-party ’activities. Evidently, the disciplinary action against those issued with show cause notices for alleged anti-party activities and also likelihood of more following suit ; pertained to the period January-February 2015, when a majority of NPF legislators(21 out of 38) had demanded replacement of the leadership of T.R. Zeliang.
NPF sources said it was obvious that those suspended would not be legible for party tickets to contest the state election in 2018. It was also speculated that the party appears to have almost decided the names of their rival intending candidates. With an overwhelming number of 48 and with seven independent MLAs rooted for the NPF party leadership and four BJP MLAs embedded in the DAN as part of NDA; the NPF leadership is confident enough to crack the whip and to pick and choose.
Currently, even if it appears that NPF externally exudes confidence in numbers, yet insiders say there is lurking suspicion about some of them waiting in the wings to strike and stake claim for leadership “as and when time is ripe”.
All claimants may have to wait longer till Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio decides to pick up the gauntlet thrown by the NPF leadership in suspending him and play the role of victim. A senior NPF member, appalled by the events lamented that the recent notice on all ministers, parliamentary secretaries and party MLAs not to leave Kohima without permission from the chief minister spoke volumes about the state of internal affairs.
While the issue of suspension is being seen as a divisive factor that would spell doom for the NPF in 2018; there are some observers in the state capital who were inclined to believe that all these were just part of the longer strategy to ensure that the reins of power remain unchanged.
An ex-MLA speaking to Nagaland Post said the suspensions were meant to discourage any “dissidence” and also a means to keep the boat from being rocked. Explaining the theory, the observer opined that the last option would be to revoke suspension of some and further divide the former dissidents. “In all probability, suspension is a useful tool to tackle the situation. The growing resentment at the party leadership for suspending members, will change in favour of the NPF leadership by 2017, once these orders are revoked”, he predicted.