Kohima: Ahead of the February 23 Assembly polls, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) received a major jolt after Congress stalwart and former state party president, Chingwang Konyak resigned from the party and decided to campaign for the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF).
The veteran Congress leader, officially resigned from the party on January 30, citing frustrations and disappointment due to the lack of unity and cohesion in the NPCC.
However, NPCC President S I Jamir told PTI that they were yet to receive any resignation letter from Konyak. Konyak had served the party as its state president, vice president, Congress legislative party leader and was also a Member of Parliament from Nagaland in the 1970s.
Resigning from the Congress after 44 years of association, he, however, remained tight-lipped about joining any other political party. Thanking the people of the state for their continuous support during all this time, he said, “I have decided to resign from the membership of the Indian National Congress Party which, I nurtured since its inception in the state.”
“I have come to this difficult decision as I am frustrated and disappointed by the lack of unity and cohesion in the Nagaland Congress Party which is a divided House, he added.
Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio also the star campaigner of NPF for the ensuing elections, on Saturday revealed that the Congress leader Chingwang Konyak would be campaigning for the NPF starting from February 5 at Phek district.
Officially launching the election campaign for NPF in the state capital today for Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, NPF candidate for Kohima Town, Rio said “I will not speak much against the only principal opposition party, as it will only sound as political allegations”. He announced that starting from Phek district, Konyak himself will speak against the Congress during the election campaigns.
He also lashed out at the opposition Congress for backing out of the Joint Legislature Forum (JLF) on Naga political issue at the last moment.
He said that the Congress in Nagaland was for President’s Rule in the state by demanding that if the JLF was to work for the solution to the Naga political problem, all the 60 members of the Legislative Assembly should resign.
Electioneering in Nagaland is gaining momentum with the political parties and independent candidates launching poll campaign. Filing of nomination has also begun but was yet to gain impetus.
The ruling NPF has declared candidates for all the 60 seats, Congress for 57 seats, BJP for 11, NCP for 16, RJD and JDU 3 each. However, there are many independents contesting the poll across the state. (PTI)
