NPF clarifies old papers submitted to Governor, no threat to Rio

Kohima, June 1 (UNI) The Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF) came to the rescue of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, denying that 22 legislators of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government favoured change in the leadership of the coalition ministry.

Addressing a news conference here this evening, Nagaland Agriculture Minister Kuzholuzo, after submitting a Memorandum to the Governor along with nine other NPF legislators, said that in August 2004, after the downsizing of the Rio ministry, a total of 15 DAN legislators had signed a paper for change of leadership without putting a date and submitted it to the then Governor Shyamal Datta.

However, the move could not yield any positive result. Later ten signatories withdrew their demand by submitting separate letters to the then Governor, he clarifed.

On Wednesday last, a few legislators consisting of four suspended NPF members, one Congress member, one Independent member, one JD (U) member and two NPF members called on the Governor and submitted the list of 2004, adding their names, which went to a total of 22 legislators.

Mr Kuzholuzo said it was a false and baseless document which misled the people of the state, where names of some senior legislators, supporting Rio, were also dragged.

He categorically said that there was no threat to Neiphin Rio led DAN Ministry.

In the Memorandum to the Governor, the NPF legislators said that the document presented was unfortunate and was being used now to destablize the leadership of Rio and the DAN Government by few vested members with ulterior motive.

They said the NPF legislators were firmly behind Mr Rio.

Meanwhile, the NPF has convened a meeting of its legislators and party workers tomorrow at the official residence of the Chief Minister. The meeting is likely to decide the fate of dissident NPF legislators, including the suspended members of the party, party sources said.

UNI