|
Nagaland : Many leaders join NPF |
 |
Leaders from three national and regional parties, including former Nagaland Home Minister Nephiu Rio, on November 8 joined the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) in a bid to unite against the Congress Government in the State.
Rating the S.C. Jamir-led Government as a “stumbling block” to the peace process between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), the party announced that it would fight the Congress in the forthcoming elections on the issue of the Nagaland Congress publication, The Bedrock of Naga Society.
On November 8 the Nagaland Democratic Movement (Progressive), led by Khekiho, and the breakaway faction of the BJP, led by I.K. Sema, merged with the NPF.
Former State Power Minister and expelled Congressman, K. Therie, also joined the NPF ranks.
Rio, who resigned from the Jamir Ministry recently in protest against what he termed the “one-family rule” in the State, joined the NPF in a general session of the party.
Rio said the Congress booklet, which states that Nagas are not sovereign and that the 16-point agreement had compromised on the issue of sovereignty, was against the aspirations of the people.
“We want an honourable, peaceful and acceptable solution to the Naga problem,” said Rio. The MLAs who have joined the NPF will be treated as associate members for now to “meet technical requirements” and to avoid anti-defection proceedings.
|
