Nagaland: NPF crisis is result of Zeliang, Rio’s attempt to hijack party to BJP, says Liezietsu

KOHIMA, Aug 10, 2017: As infighting continues in the Naga People's Front (NPF) party in Nagaland, former chief minister and newly inducted MLA, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu alleged that the present crisis in the party is the result of TR Zeliang and Neiphiu Rio's failure to hijack the party on the behest of the BJP.

The state has been subjected to continuous political turmoil during the past few months while instability continues to hover around the prominent party in the state.

A press note from the NPF Kohima division stated that Dr. Shürhozelie was speaking on a felicitation programme for being elected to the 10th Northern Angami AC by-election that was organised NPF Kohima Division.

In his speech, Dr Liezietsu on Wednesday alleged that the present crisis created by Chief Minister TR Zeliang and lone MP Neiphiu Rio as repercussions of their failure to take control of the party on behalf of the BJP.

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"Dr. Shürhozelie who is also the president of the Naga People's Front stated that it is so unfortunate that Zeliang and Rio after their failure to hijack the NPF into BJP have now turn their eye to dismantle the NPF party through backdoor, however, their evil design to ruin the party could not be fulfilled", he added.

The former chief minister further blamed the BJP for the political crisis in the state even as he alleged that the Zeliang and Rio were acting on behalf of the saffron with an aim to hijack the NPF and gain control over the whole state.

"Zeliang and Rio along with state Governor, PB Acharya, BJP Nagaland incharge, Ram Madhav and North East Democratic Alliance Chairman, Himana Biswas have agreed upon to dismiss his then government and install TR Zeliang government so that they will hijack the whole NPF party to BJP," he alleged.

The failure to get everyone on board, the BJP has now designed a plan to dismantle the NPF with the help of Zeliang and Rio. "Fearing the Naga people as well as the legislators will oppose the move have now bargain down to dismantle the NPF party." stated the press release.

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He also termed the instances of some party workers leaving the party to be with the expelled and suspended NPF legislators as "very unfortunate."He also stated that the appointment of Rio as the imterim president of the NPF "is nothing but just foolish politics" as there is no such mentioned post in NPF constitution and stated that "Rio is nobody in the party".

He also called upon the party leaders to take the present crisis as challenges since politics "has ups and downs but leaders who stood with the principle always wins" and that the present "rough period", is a time to test one's "sincerity and integrity towards the party".

Liezietsu also hope that in the coming 2018 assembly elections, the party will have a peaceful election with only the "good leaders".

"Speaking on the occasion, MLA, Dr. Chotisuh Sazo termed the present crisis fighting between the NPF and the greedy and power monger leaders. He also said that the winning of Dr. Shürhozelie to the by-election as the winning of the whole Naga people who stood with the truth and urged upon the party leaders to stand remain firmed," the press note further stated.

TNT News with inputs from Morung Express