Nagaland NPF dissident group says it will stand for unity

Kohima: The dissident group of the Naga Peoples Front, under the leadership of Noke Wangnao and G. Kaito Aye, has said that in case the Election Commission of India (ECI) allots the party symbol in its favour, it will continue to stand for reconciliation and unity of the party.
In a statement issued by the dissident NPF leaders Kaito Aye and Noke Wangnao said ‘We have always maintained right from the beginning that the problem is within the NPF party and that the matter has to be resolved within the NPF family.
We firmly believe in the ideals and principles of the party and will always stand by the ideology of the NPF.’ On the ongoing political crisis, the statement said, the genesis of the problem began when the then President of the NPF refused to recognize the democratic principle respecting the majority.
It said, if the majority view was respected and the voice of the overwhelming majority of the NPF legislators was heard and acknowledged, the crisis would have been resolved there and then.
The party reiterated its commitment made in the election manifesto of 2013 and that it will extend full-fledged support as facilitator to the ongoing political dialogue for early resolution of the Indo-Naga which is honourable and acceptable to the people. ‘We have committed to pave way for any alternative arrangement and we continue to stand by our commitment given to the people.’ Stating that the 2013 mandate of the electorate of Nagaland was a mandate in favour of the NPF and its leadership, the statement said it cannot afford to betray the people’s trust.
‘Our topmost priority is peace and progress as committed in our manifesto.’
It may be mentioned that both the ruling and dissident NPF group at present balanced as they have 19 supporters each, out of 38 elected members in the present Assembly, after three legislators left the dissident camp, namely Deo Nukhu, Dr Bengjongliba and Shetoyi joined the ruling NPF camp led by Dr Shurhozelie.
According to a report, another member of the dissident camp is missing, but did not join the ruling NPF group also, which could not be confirmed so far.(UNI)