Morung Express News
Kohima | November 11
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today questioned the Opposition’s stance that the existing Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) should be disbanded and a new platform with a different nomenclature should be initiated in its stead.
“What wrong has the JLF done that we have to start a new platform and start from zero? We cannot discard our history and hard work throughout the years,” Rio said while addressing the media on the sidelines of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government’s thanksgiving programme here on Wednesday.
Stating that the JLF has been around for more than a decade, Rio also underscored that the NPF was also part of the JLF in the years that he was involved in the party. "From the beginning there was no issue,” he added.
Alluding that the NPF may not have been clear on their reasons for withdrawal from the forum, the Chief Minister went on to say “We should discuss in detail what the reasons are. Opposition doesn’t just propose something and tell the government to do what they think. We need discussion.”
“JLF is dear to us,” he maintained, referring to the meetings, resolutions and discussions that the Forum had initiated both within and outside the Assembly.
“We still strongly feel that we should come together on the Naga issue particularly,” Rio maintained while adding that the PDA government with BJP, Independent and NDPP are still under JLF.
The Chief Minister also referred to the closed-door meeting with North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) Convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma on November 8, regarding the JLF. Without going into details, he said the PDA will be discussing on the issue.
Earlier in the programme, Rio, while congratulating the newly elected MLA Medo Yhokha from 14- Southern Angami –I assembly constituency, expressed the hope that promoting young leaders in Nagaland will be a dividend to the Naga society.
On his decision on non-accommodation of independent candidates in the PDA government, Rio said "PDA will sit and discuss about it. But independent is independent. They cannot join any party; if they want they can support the government. For us we can work together but they have their own restrictions."
