Imchen spreading misinformation:CMO
Reacting to allegations made against chief minister T.R. Zeliang by spokesperson for the dissident group of NPF, the CMO in a statement issued by its media officer Karaibo Chawang accused Imkong L. Imchen of “spreading misinformation” to create confusion in the minds of people by issuing a point-by-point rebuttal. CMO termed it “preposterous” Imchen’s charge that despite being given “sufficient time” the chief minister had failed to provide efficient administration to run the affairs of the state in an effective manner. CMO reiterated that state government machinery was functioning normally and there was no breakdown in governance.
On the other hand, CMO said it was “most unfortunate” that Imchen directed state government employees “not to obey order of the government” and had warned of fixing responsibility on those officers who failed to comply with his “directives”. CMO said with a government in place functioning as per constitutional provisions, such directives expose “ the base levels to which his mind has been reduced”. It said the statement amounted to “provoking the employees to rebel against a constitutionally set up government and is highly illegal” and also “a dangerous trend for the state”.
CMO reminded that government employees “are outside the domain of the current political situation” and should not be dragged into it. By making the statement, CMO said Imchen was not only exposing his ignorance but also belittling the office of the Hon’ble Governor, who was in office to ensure that the constitutional provisions were not violated by the present government.
On the appointment of parliamentary secretaries, advisers and chairmen, CMO said it was resorted at the time of downsizing of government, for effecting better governance. It said the chief minister was only continuing with the practice and therefore, there was no deviation from the rules of executive business.
It reiterated that as BJP has been an active constituent of DAN, there was no dispute or misunderstanding with NPF. CMO recalled, that after three NCP legislators merged with BJP, the NCP filed a complaint with the Speaker against the merger and petitioned for their disqualification as per Tenth Schedule after which the speaker then disqualified the three. CMO said the chief minister had nothing to do with the “quasi-judicial matter”.
On the Naga issue, CMO said after cease fire agreements with NSCN(I-M) and later NSCN(K), the state government had been urging the government of India for an early settlement. After 18 years since talks began, CMO said Nagas were yet to see a settlement and therefore it was “unrealistic” to expect the new chief minister resolve the issue “within 7 months” when the state government was not a party to the talks. Further, CMO put on record that T.R.Zeliang had met the prime minister on three occasions for an early solution which led to appointment of an interlocutor, after the previous incumbent R.S.Pandey resigned.
On oil and natural gas explorations, CMO said it was known to all that the assembly had passed a unanimous resolution in 2010; adoption of the Nagaland Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulations 2012 and framing of Nagaland Petroleum & Natural Gas Rules 2012.
It was on the basis of the above rules, that companies were appointed for exploration and production of oil and gas in Nagaland on approval of the Minsterial Group chaired by then chief minister Neiphiu Rio and Imkong L.Imchen as member.
Stating that the present government was only continuing with the policy decisions taken earlier, CMO said if Imkong Imchen considered the decisions as wrong, then why had he agreed to append his signature, as the then cabinet minister of the Ministerial Group?
On NCP being included in DAN-III ministry, CMO agreed that though it was not a pre-poll alliance, the MLAs were made chairmen during the Neiphiu Rio ministry and the arrangement was being continued.
On Imchen’s accusations of financial mismanagement and corruption in the government, CMO said it was for all to see that the present government inherited an empty coffer that the present chief minister was trying to clear up the financial mess so that the state did not continue to suffer.
CMO challenged, that if there was any specific charges of financial mismanagement or corruption gainst the present chief minister, then it should be made known but added, that “such accusations coming from a person like Shri Imkong, whose past records are known to all, is most unwarranted.”
It also termed as totally false, Imchen’s accusations that the chief minister had sent armed elements to the residence of T.Torechu “in order to kidnap him. CMO said such charges were “most unfortunate” and showed what scant regard Imchen had for facts in his attempt to “unconstitutionally overthrow the government.”
CMO said the clarification was necessitated to make people aware of facts and not be misled by misinformation campaign by the dissident group who were vehemently “trying every means” to change the chief minister “through anti-party activities and unconstitutional means.”
Zeliang did not maintain status quo: Imchen
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JAN 11 (NPN): Spokesperson for the NPF (Kaito group) Imkong L. Imchen renewed the stand, that present situation erupted because chief minister T.R. Zeliang failed to maintain “status quo” which he said, was the “great principal” of NPF party.
Briefing media persons Sunday here at Sovima camp, Imkong accused Zeliang of ignoring the credibility of the NPF principal and constituting the government under the “wishes of one section only”. Imchen said though they had repeatedly said to maintain party unity “serious reconciliation” was inevitable, yet this was not taken into consideration by Zeliang. He said the ruling dispensation began discrimination against MLAs who had initially supported Noke Wangnao for chief minister but also disqualified BJP legislators.
Imchen said as BJP and NPF had pre-poll alliance, such actions only invited “mistrust and misunderstanding” with the ruling NDA at the Centre.
Further, he said NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, instead of pacifying the misunderstanding within the groups, instead “randomly” suspended NPF legislators including Noke, who was one of the senior most and pioneers of the regional party in the state.
Stating that NPF constitution was conveniently ignored and set aside, Imkong said “we” (Kaito’s group) expected Dr. Shürhozelie by virtue of being the president of NPF would emerge as the “great communicator and healer” of the party. He however expressed regret that it was “totally proved wrong”.
Imchen questioned Dr. Shürhozelie who was he to suspend them when they were elected by the people ,adding he had “no shame”.
Imkong then said as per legal terms, when Dr.Shurhozelie served show cause notice after suspension, he only nullified his own orders.
He also expressed optimism that the NPF (Kaito group) would be allowed to form the government by Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya since the group has 22 NPF legislators excluding the speaker; whereas Zeliang has only 15 NPF legislators.
On his highly provoking statement to government employees, to disobey the directives of the present state government, Imkong said it was issued on the principal of democratic norms as Kaito group had staked claim before the Governor on January 7 to form the government.
He said the NPF (Kaito group) made the request on the Governor as they have majority support as the present government has been “reduced to minority” and not supposed to hold the office anymore. Imkong said Kaito group felt obligated to inform the government employees of chief minister T.R.Zeliang’s position and to caution them on the reality.
Asked about his claim that NPF dissident legislature party leader G kaito Aye along with Nagaland MPs Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho Zhimomi met the Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Imkong said that the trio left for Delhi on invitation by BJP central leadership.
He however clarified that the dissident leaders had not met Rajnath but that they held a “good discussion” with BJP central leadership and was expected to be back in Nagaland by Sunday night.
When asked why Kaito’s group blamed T.R Zeliang for not making any progress on settlement of the Naga political issue, when NPF had not been able to do anything despite being in power for over ten years, Imkong remarked “one day is as very important and as good as ten years in politics”.
In a damage control mode, chief whip of dissident NPF legislature party Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu claimed that during ten years, Congress-led UPA at the Centre was not a “very friendly government”.
He said the BJP-led-NDA government- was a “friendly government” with whom NPF has pre-poll alliance and is ruling at the centre but Zeliang has not made any move to initiate early settlement of the Naga political issue.
Azo claimed that the chief minister had never met both the state MPs on the issue nor intimated the cabinet ministers about any progress with central government on the vexed Naga issue.
May good sense prevail in Dr. Shürhozelie: Noke
Speaking out against the suspension order on him and other dissident NPF legislators, Noke Wangnao, one of the senior most and pioneers of state regional party, said that he has forgiven NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie for signing his suspension order.
He also expressed hope and prayed that “good sense” would prevail on NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie
Noke said he has always remained for more than 40 years in the regional party from the beginning till date and working for the interest of the Nagas.
Claiming that he had not earned any bad remarks in his entire political career, Noke said that the suspension was an attempt to tarnish his good image.
“I have always set the regional party at the highest level and I am not being proud when I say that I have done everything to keep the regional party intact in the state” added Noke.
Maintaining that the present situation was not crisis but just a move to change the leadership within the NPF party, Noke said he did not understand the reason why NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie had to suspend the party leaders.
He then went on to say that if Dr. Shürhozelie wanted, he could suspend every NPF legislators present in Kaito’s camp.