Kohima, March 21 (MExN): NPF President Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Monday clarified that the party’s proposed candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls could not file nominations as it failed to fulfil the criteria as per Part X, Misc. Section 152 of the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951.
“With so many queries from many quarters, I find it necessary to clarify the stand of NPF regarding filling up of NPF candidate for the biennial election to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) in Nagaland,” the Naga People’s Front leader said in a press release.
Liezietsu explained that the NPF felt it was its “bounden duty to take a stand to represent the voice of the people, to preserve the cultural heritage of the land, to defend the faith of the people and to voice the urgent need for an early solution to the Indo-Naga political problem.” He said there was a need for leaders who are well conversant with the political history of Nagaland so as to convey the true picture of Nagaland to the national leaders in the Parliament, and as such, “invited application from our leaders.”
While Thenucho Tunyi, the Working President of NPF came forward to stand as NPF candidate and his papers were accepted, the party could not meet the criteria which required 10 MLAs to nominate him, Liezietsu stated.
“Even as President, I am not in a position to speak for others how and why this could not be fulfilled… I am constrained to say ‘sorry’ to the people of Nagaland for no fault of mine,” he added.
Meanwhile, Thenucho Tunyi issued a separate statement, acknowledging the party for endorsing him as the candidate to the Rajya Sabha polls. Tunyi stated that he had believed in the ‘regional ideology’ throughout his political career and was more than willing to stand up for the Party. “However, not everyone among the party shares the same view on this point and only time will tell whose wisdom prevail. On my part, I will always be available to serve our people whenever situation calls,” he added.
