Dimapur, June 14 (MExN): MLA and spokesperson for the ‘erstwhile NPF Legislature Party,’ Imkong L Imchen on Tuesday claimed that a “wild and outlandish narrative” has been placed before the public to “confuse and plant seeds of mistrust amongst the elected members.”
Accordingly, he asserted that the speculation that “there are some NPF MLAs, who very recently merged into NDPP, is planning to reverse their decision and go back to NPF” as ‘bizarre’ and “cannot be any further away from the truth and facts.”
“The chapter of merger in Nagaland is closed when 21 NPF MLAs merged into NDPP,” the erstwhile spokesperson declared in a statement.
The ‘erstwhile NPF Legislature Party’ refers to the 21 Naga People’s Front MLAs who- depending on one’s viewpoint-merged or defected to the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) earlier on April 29 this year.
“As was mentioned time and again, it was either merging NDPP into NPF or NPF to NDPP and as fate would have it, the latter took place and that was the day the chapter of merger closed. So to even speculate and dream about some of the MLAs from the NDPP camp to merge into NPF again at this point of time is nothing more than a wild goose chase,” Imchen’s statement read.
The spokesperson maintained that the “erstwhile NPF Legislature were seriously pondering as to how the regional forces of the State should be brought together so as to make a stronger facilitation to the ongoing Naga Political Issue since 2020.” He further went on to state that the ‘merger’ of 21 NPF MLAs with the NDPP was taken into effect on April 29, 2022, “knowing fully well of its legal and political implications and consequences therein.”
The decision, he said, was taken “decisions after giving serious thoughts and full application of mind,” and consequently, the strength of the NDPP in the house of 60 stands at 42 strong besides Independent and BJP and also the NPF 4 MLAs who are part of the UDA Opposition-less Government.
“The political navigation we are distinctly clear. And therefore, there was never a whisper, much less a discussion of NDPP MLAs, now which stands at 42, to explore options to merge into NPF or any other political party (sic),” he asserted.
While “some vested interest individuals” are at play to bring about discord and confusion in the midst of the 42 strong NDPP MLAs, “it will not yield to their desired objective as the question of merging with erstwhile NPF does not arise,” Imchen added.
