Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 67
TUESDAY, February 13, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Rouhani to offer Friday prayers in Hyderabad mosque
Barcelona held goalless by Getafe
Russell Brand to star in ‘Butterfingers’
national, Page 5
sports, Page 12
infotainment, Page 10
Rio wins uncontested; boost for NDPP-BJP Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEB 12 (NPN): NDPP’s chief ministerial candidate and three-time chief minister Neiphiu Rio notched up a dramatic and huge moral victory for NDPP when he was declared uncontested from the 11 Northern Angami-II assembly constituency after the lone NPF candidate Chüpfuo Angami withdrew from the race on the last day for withdrawal of nominations on Monday. After Rio was declared uncontested, his party the NDPP will now contest 39 seats and BJP 20 seats,
This is it!
as per the seat sharing formula. Rio’s win also means that NPF has lost one seat to NDPP out of the 59 seats the party is contesting. 11 Northern Angami-II assembly constituency has been Neiphiu Rio’s strong-
how he made maximum sacrifices for NPF, a party he revamped in 2003. He led the party in 2008 and 2013, but after he demitted office, the party in the government made a mess of things. On last year’s reconciliation and his subsequent exit from NPF, Rio clarified that he re-joined NPF as part of reconciliation. He also said he had agreed to lead NPF as per the party’s request last year, only to realise that his presence was not liked, instead the NPF leaders back-stabbed him. (Cont’d on p-7)
State BJP unit rejects ‘communal tag’ DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): State BJP unit has rejected the charge by NBCC that it was a communal party on the ground that if it was so then the ECI would not have recognised the party. Stating this, the BJP unit media cell also pointed out that the secular character of the Constitution of India cannot be changed by any political party despite BJP currently enjoying absolute majority in parliament. Drawing attention on the recent letter of appeal from NBCC to presidents
of all political parties in Nagaland not to compromise “our religion” for the sake of development and political gain, BJP party said it appeared that religious polarisation seemed to be the strategy of some people in Nagaland during elections. BJP was, however, quick to clarify that it did not blame NBCC, but alleged that there were few leaders at its helm who were trying to confuse the Nagas. BJP reminded that earlier the convener of NBCC’s Clean Election Campaign
(CEC) had categorically stated that, as a responsible organisation, NBCC was not in support or against any political party. Therefore, BJP asked then why was it that some leaders were using the NBCC platform now to openly campaign against it (BJP)? By making the appeal, BJP asked has not NBCC contravened the CEC guidelines laid down? “Have these leaders given any thought that exhorting one’s followers not to vote for a particular party
Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEB 12 (NPN): Stage is all set for the battle of the ballot in Nagaland for the February 27 elections with the deadline for withdrawal of nominations having ended on Monday. According to Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland, media cell, 195 candidates will contest from 60 constituencies for the February 27 polls. Informing that altogether 257 candidates had filed nominations, CEO’s office said that the nominations of 29 candidates were declared invalid after scrutiny, adding that a total number of 32 candidates had withdrawn and one had been declared ‘uncontested.’ M e a n w h i l e, C h i e f Electoral Officer, Abhijit Sinha said that in order to ensure free and fair elections, webcasting of polling is being planned at 555 polling stations where internet connectivity is available, and the remaining 1641 Polling Stations will be covered by offline videography. He said the offline videography at the polling booths will be done under the supervision of the Presiding Officer and first Polling Officer.
BJP or its govt won’t come in the way of Naga pact: Rijiju NEW DELHI, FEB 12 (PTI/ AGENCIES): The BJP-NDPP coalition will not come in the way of “smooth implementation” of the proposed Naga accord, if voted to power in Nagaland, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju Said Monday. Rijiju, who is the BJP’s election in-charge for Nagaland, however, was noncommittal when asked if it meant that the new government would recommend the dissolution of Nagaland Assembly to pave the way for implementation of the
accord, if necessary. “Our party and the government, if elected, will not come in the way of the smooth implementation of the Naga accord as and when it is signed. Rather we will cooperate,” he told PTI. Meanwhile, The Asian Age report stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs is not apprehending any major problem during the elections in Nagaland as NSCN (I-M) and NNPGs have given commitment not to interfere in to the electoral process. (Cont’d on p-7)
Naga identity may perish: Dr. Shurho
DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu warned that a day would come when the Naga people will suffer and their identity perish if they do not realize what force is penetrating into their land. He was addressing a gathering at an election rally for NPF candidate, Ar. Loguseng Semp (Logus) at Tseminyu town. “The 2018 General Election is not just a contest between the political (Cont’d on p-7) (Withdrawal of candidates p-5) parties for the formation of
government, but it will be a contest between outside forces and the force of the Naga people,” Dr. Shürhozelie said. If the “tall leaders” who are succumbing to money and power are voted to power, they will land the Naga people into great trouble, he asserted. He further went on to say that the 2018 elections is a “selection between the destruction or preservation of the Naga people and their identity.” (Cont’d on p-7)
Nagaland polls: IT issues summons
DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Income Tax Department has issued the first set of summons to people who have made cash withdrawals of over Rs 10 lakhs after the declaration of the Assembly polls. A source in the IT department informed Nagaland Post that the first batch of summons were issued to 15 persons including the brother of a prominent candidate contesting the elections. Surveillance team comprising of IT officials have been set up in all district headquarters including air surveillance unit at Dimapur Airport and a Railway intelligence unit in Dimapur Railway station to monitor movement of cash.
Prohibitory order in Tuli
DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Additional District Magistrate Tuli sub-division, Rhosietho Nguori has promulgated prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC in Tuli town due to apprehension of breach of law and order situation. The order which comes into immediate effect from Monday, February 12 is to remain till March 5 or till further order. As per the order, assembly of five or more persons has been prohibited in Tuli Town. The order however exempts magistrates and other government officials, besides security personnel on duty.
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“In our days, we donated to the candidate, it became a big business to be a candidate.”
Neiphiu Rio after being elected unopposed from 11-NA-II A/C.
hold since his first electoral win in 1989 and which he retained consecutively in 1993, 1998, 2003, 2009 and 2013. Speaking on the sidelines of the NDPP election campaign at Chiechama scheduled prior to being declared uncontested, Rio said that greed for power had destroyed everything in Nagaland- its image and that of Nagas as a whole. Rio made it clear that he cannot be held responsible for the crises within NPF that had taken place during the last four years. The former three-time chief minister recounted
195 candidates in the fray for Nagaland polls
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