‘Misrepresented,’ says Patton, in spot after alleged remarks

Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton. (Morung File Photo)

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 2

Following reports that Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton had allegedly said that he can “manipulate” the interview process of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) exam, he has clarified that his statement at the Lotha Students Union’s (LSU) general conference in Merapani was “twisted and misrepresented” by his “political opponents.”

Reports on social media and national media outlets had also alleged that the Deputy CM used derogatory terminology to refer to people of Ralan Sub-Division. This was followed by appeals from a former National People’s Party (NPP) candidate and a former student leader to the Nagaland Governor for action against Patton, who also heads the Home Department.  

Former president of the Highway Area Students Union, Vicca S Aye wrote a letter to the Governor requesting urgent action against the Home Minister. The former student leader said that “at a time when the NSF led demand for instituting a State Selection Board for government jobs in Nagaland to curb backdoor appointment, of which Y Patton is the main proponent, his admission that he can manipulate the NPSC is very disturbing.”

Meanwhile, former NPP candidate for the LS election 2019, Hayithung Bill Lotha, issued a statement accusing the Deputy CM of using derogatory terminology while referring to the people of Ralan area, and termed it as “racist and inhuman.”

The opposition NPCC, K Therie, in a press conference on Sunday, also stated: "It is shameful for Deputy Chief Minister to say that I can manipulate, come to me. That is not the way.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy CM took to Twitter late Saturday night in defense and posted: “My speech as the Guest of Honour during the recently held 51st LSU Conference at Maratchu (Merapani) where I had spoken in my own dialect is being twisted and misrepresented by my political opponents to score political mileage, especially on the social media, which I pity.”

He stated that before shifting to 37 A/C, he was contesting from 40 Bhandari A/C for about 5 elections. “So, many people from my tribe and my old supporters approach me for assistance. I was explaining that I am a Minister today not only for our tribe but for Nagas as a whole,” he said.

“No comment I made there had any relevance to NPSC. I only stressed NPSC couldn't be manipulated in a different context, but my intention is being misrepresented. There cannot and shouldn't be any question on the integrity and autonomy of NPSC members or the process followed,” he added.

On the allegations of the derogatory remarks, when contacted by The Morung Express on Sunday, neither the Deputy CM nor his office issued any clarification.

Meanwhile, in a letter to the president of the Naga Student’s Federation (NSF), LSU President, Lipemo M Tsopoe and Social and Cultural Secretary, Thungbeni Kikon stated that the Deputy CM’s statement was “misrepresented” and “miscommunicated.” The LSU stated that Patton had made a point that any merit candidate from the Lotha community who qualifies in NPSC written exam or any state Departmental exam “must come to him so that he will make sure proper justice will be done to the merit candidate and urged good will to aspirants to do their best.”

It further reminded that the LSU had filed RTI and submitted a memorandum to the Governor when the 2016 NPSC result “was not satisfactory.” It said that Patton was the Home Minister then and under his administration had taken “several necessary proper measures and steps.”

The LSU meanwhile said it would take strong action against “such anti-social media users,” and said that clarifications related to the 51st LSU general conference can be sought from the LSU officially.