TR Zeliang (File Photo)
DIMAPUR, JULY 17 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has expressed surprised over the press release issued by the NDPP on July 16, in which it was stated that the “Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister, TR Zeliang has quoted “the truth” and that the Speaker has done fairly.”
This was in relation to the disqualification petition against 7 MLAs.
A press release from the NPF said that the Leader of the Opposition had meant that the “Speaker had done fairly as far as the procedural aspect of the trial is concerned but the NDPP has twisted to their advantage.” It added that Zeliang never said “justice was delivered by the Speaker.”
It further stated Zeliang had tried to convey that “for the first time in the history of the NLA, the Speaker has followed the due process of law with respect to conducting the trial of the disqualification case in which the Speaker gave both the parties fair chance of hearing and examination of witnesses.”
“But whether conducting a trail by following procedure and the decision recorded in contrary to the facts and law is to be looked into for ready reference. Records of the case speaks volumes wherein, it is now a matter of record that the MLAs who were facing disqualification refuse to say under which party ticket he contested the election, refuses to identify his photo published in the newspaper, refuses that they have not replied to the show cause notice served by the party but the records speaks contra,” the NPF claimed.
It questioned whether the Speaker has rightly appreciated the facts, evidences in consonance with the settled process of law while recording the judgement. This matter, it said, shall be looked by the Court at the relevant time.
It meanwhile termed the NDPP’s branding of an NPF-Congress alliance as “cheap politics,” and “just a tool to convince the BJP Central leaders to win over the sentiments of the BJP high command.”
The NPF said that the party had taken a stand to lend one time issue-based support to the Congress candidate during the last Lok Sabha election. “But going together in the election will not change the stand of the party regionalism nor will it reflect as an alliance partner with them,” it added.
