The four NPF MLAs with Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and others during the press conference in Kohima on April 30. (Morung Photo)
Appoints Azo as NPFLP leader, Dr Ngangshi as Chief Whip
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 30
Naga People’s Front (NPF) president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu maintained that the party “is intact” from all angles and said he was not surprise that the 21 NPF MLAs left the party.
As far as the party organisation is concerned, we are intact, he maintained.
“To be very frank, it is not a merger. They have joined NDPP,” he said. “On our part, it is clear defection,” he added.
NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon said that the question of merger does not arise as the party has not endorse or agree to their (21 NPF MLAs) union with the NDPP.
“It is purely defection,” Kikon substantiated.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting between NPF leadership and NPF Legislature Party in Kohima today, Dr Liezietsu announced that MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu has been unanimously elected as leader of NPF Legislature Wing/Party and MLA Dr Ngangshi K Ao as Chief Whip of NPF Legislature Party.
Dr Liezietsu also described the four NPF MLAs Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, Dr Ngangshi K Ao, Khriehu Liezietsu and Kezhienyi Khalo as “Heroes of NPF.”
“We will revamp and reactivate the party activities,” he said.
In today’s meeting, he said the members present felt that one minister berth given to NPF party earlier in the opposition-less UDA government including the chairperson of UDA must be given back to NPF as the two MLAs holding the posts left the party.
These 2 posts belong to NPF, the party President said.
He said that whatever may be the changes taking place in the current political development, the NPF stays constant for political reason, adding that the four MLAs will continue to be part of the member of the opposition-less UDA government.
As stated by NPF president, we will be part of the UDA government because we came together as opposition-less government on the ground of Naga political issue, Azo said adding “As long as the issue is there, we will be part of the government.”
On being asked what the next course of action would be if the 21 MLAs want to come back to NPF, Dr Liezietsu said the party would examine the matter first and decide whether it would be proper to take them back.
