Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 88
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
‘BJP’s blind quest for power superseding stability of NE’
Man City beat clumsy Chelsea 1-0
Iran nuclear deal failure will be great loss, says IAEA chief
national, Page 7
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
BJP ends 15-year-old ties with NPF
Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAR 5 (NPN): Putting all speculations to rest, the BJP on Monday categorically made it clear that there will be no alliance with its 15-year-old partner, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and the party will stick with the pre-poll ally-- NDPP. BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified that the BJP will have no truck with NPF and therefore there was no question of stitching an alliance with the latter to form a government. Addressing media persons outside Hotel Vivor here late Monday afternoon after meeting NDPP leaders, Sarma disclosed that he advised TR Zeliang to respect the democratic norms and resign because the BJP-NDPP alliance had majority in the House with support from JD (U), NPP and others. He added that though BJP had not sent an official letter of severing ties with NPF, enough signals were given to Zeliang that the party will not trick the Nagas by going back on the pre-poll alliance. Himanta said as a senior leader, it
Muivah appeals for fast on Mar 18 DIMAPUR, MAR 5 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) ato kilonser, Th. Muivah has appealed to national workers and Naga people to observe a day of fasting on March 18 to show “our gratefulness to God who, in His mercy, had not punished us for our sins as we deserved.” In a statement issued on Monday, Muivah called for thanking God for He was gracious, merciful, slow to anger, filled with unfailing love and cancelled the disaster “we” deserved. “Let us return to the Lord through prayer and fasting so that the good Lord will in His mercy uproot and destroy all the bonds of wickedness and set free the yokes of oppression from our iniquities,” he appealed. According to him, in the days of Jonah the word of the Lord came to Nineveh, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown”, and Nineveh believed and called for national fasting putting on sackcloth from the greatest to the least. Asserting that Nagaland was for Christ, Muivah called for repentance and to thank Him “for giving us another chance to return to Him” before it was too late.The word of God says “who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we shall not perish”, he added.
Himanta Biswa Sarma and Neiphiu Rio addressing media persons outside hotel Vivor, Kohima. (Express photos)
was expected of Zeliang, to respect the democratic norms and cautioned that BJP did not want a situation where the governor would be compelled to take a step which might not be of good taste. Himanta, also convener of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), stressed that everyone should accept electoral defeats and exuded confidence that Zeliang would respect the constitutional provisions. He also informed the media that he had spoken to Zeliang about BJP’s stand on alliance with NDPP, underlining that the mandate of people could not be betrayed. On Naga political issue, Himanta said it was
on the agenda of the Centre and asserted that, with Neiphiu Rio at the helm of affairs in Nagaland and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, things would be much easier and quipped, “This is the time to solve the problem.” Himanta said NDPP and BJP had agreed that JD (U) and “other friendly” legislators too would be part of the coalition and that Rio had already finalised names for induction into the coalition government which would be formed soon. He said NDPP would be a member of NEDA and NDA too. Himanta was confident that by March 6 everything related to government formation would be sorted out.
Swearing-in on March 8; PM Modi to attend
Staff Reporter
NPF press bureau clarifies
Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAR 5 (NPN): NPF legislator Yitachu has regretted that though people’s mandate was with his party, it slipped out because of some “unprincipled leaders”, admitting that pre-poll alliance had hit the party hard. On the formation of a new government in the state, Yitachu said NPF and BJP could offer a stable government and that only a stable government could vigorously pursue to find a solution to the Naga political issue. On BJP severing ties with NPF, the MLA said it would indicate that the saffron party was scared of its slogan “Election for solution” as only a stable government could pursue the issue effectively. He also warned of a new political alignment in the Northeast if BJP severed ties with NPF. To a query whether Nagaland would witness another opposition-less government, Yitachu said there was no way of having opposition-less government.
NPF has issued a clarification following media reports that chief minister T.R. Zeliang was refusing to resign. According to a press communiqué issued by the party’s press bureau on Monday, news headlines like Zeliang was “desperately” clinging on to the chair and “refusing to resign” had projected him in a very poor light. Press bureau explained that after NPF emerged as the single largest party, Zeliang submitted to Nagaland Governor, the pre-poll alliance letters of the NPP and JD (U) and that the governor, in all fairness, had given him 48 hours to prove his majority. And when efforts were on to cobble up the requisite numbers to form the new government, the question of chief minister resigning at this juncture did not arise, NPF press bureau stated Asserting that technically the incumbent could continue as caretaker chief minister before a new person was sworn in, NPF said “incorrect and malicious” news reporting should be avoided at all cost.
DIMAPUR, MAR 5 (NPN): The newly formed People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) will be meeting Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya Tuesday at 9.45 a.m. where the former would be submitting letters of support by all the parties-- NDPP, BJP, JD (U) including Independent MLA. One NPP MLA has reportedly decide to support the PDA government. Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and BJP parliamentary board secretary, JP Nadda, said the BJP Legislature Party (BJPLP) meeting held at hotel Saramati, Dimapur, was attended by all the 12 MLAs. He said during the meeting Paiwang Konyak proposed the name of Y Patton to be the BLP leader seconded by Mmhonlumo Kikon and S Pangyu Phom,
Silent protest in Peren for re-poll
NDPP party workers and supporters during the silent protest.
K Y M C
MUMBAI, MAR 5 (AGENCIES): Income Tax department has unearthed a Rs 3,200 crore scam where 447 companies deducted tax from its employees but did not deposit with the government and diverted to further their business interests. The TDS wing of the IT has initiated prosecution against these firms and in some cases, warrants have been issued, sources said. Under the Income Tax Act, the offences attract a minimum punishment of rigorous imprisonment of three months to a maximum of seven years with fine. Prosecution is initiated under Section 276 B. IT is contemplating adding IPC Sections of cheating and criminal breach of trust as this act amounts (Cont’d on p-7) to duping its employees, sources said. The offenders mainly include builders with one of them, a leading and politically connected, Swearing-in ceremo- diverting Rs 100 crore colny has been planned to lected from his employees take place on March 8, for business purposes. 2018 at Khuochiezie (local The others are from gound Kohima), which is various sectors including scheduled to be attended movie production houses, by Prime Minister Na- infrastructure companies, rendra Modi and other start-ups and fly by night central leaders. operators.
On Zeliang’s planned visit to New Delhi that was to be on Monday, Sarma said it was not proper for the former to meet BJP’s central leadership at this hour as it would send a wrong signal to the people. He opined that Zeliang could meet central BJP leaders, if he so desired, but only after formation of the new coalition government in the State. “It’s not good at this juncture for Zeliang to meet anyone in Delhi,” he added. On the issue of support from NPP legislators, Sarma said one NPP legislator was with the NDPP-BJP alliance, adding he was in touch with NPP leader Conrad Sangma, who also supported the NDPP-BJP coalition in Nagaland.
Conrad to take oath as CM today; HSPDP wants no truck with BJP Correspondent SHILLONG, MAR 5: National People’s Party (NPP) president, Conrad Kongkal Sangma will be sworn in as Meghalaya’s 12th chief minister of on Tuesday morning even as the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) expressed reservation against the BJP to be part of the non-Congress government. The HSPDP which has stitched a post-alliance with the NPP objected Sangma, the lone NPP Lok Sabha member, of being projected as a chief minister. But the HSPDP legislators-- Renikton Lyngdoh and Samlin Malngiang-- have signed the letter of support, which was handed over to Governor Ganga Prasad on Sunday projecting Sangma as their leader to lead the non-Congress government HSPDP during the emergency central executive committee meeting expressed reservation to cobble up with the BJP since the stand of the party had been a non-Congress or non-BJP government. “During the election
we have campaigned that we want to have a non-Congress and non-BJP government, this is the reason we don’t want the BJP,” HSPDP president Ardent Basaiawmoit told reporters. “HSPDP says ‘no’ to be in the Regional Democratic Alliance if BJP is part of the Alliance.” Basaiawmoit also led the delegation of his senior party members to UDP president Donkupar Roy residence expressing reservation for not consulting the HSPDP leadership for cobbling up with the BJP and projecting the NPP president as chief minister. “A non-Congress or non-BJP government could be formed along with the NPP, without working together with the BJP or Congress,” the HSPDP chief said. Basaiawmoit said the chief ministerial candidate could have been also elected from among the elected legislators of the NPP. “The NPP has been projecting the name of Prestone Tynsong as the chief ministerial candidate, but now they elected Conrad who is not an elected legislator,” the HSPDP leader
People’s mandate slipped out PDA partners to meet Gov today due to unprincipled leaders: NPF
This is it!
“Results declared and they say their candidate will be minister. So they want him to close this camp.”
IT sleuths unearth `3200 cr TDS scam
DIMAPUR, MAR 5 (NPN): Hundreds of supporters of 7 Peren A/C NDPP candidate, Iherie Ndang, took to the streets on Monday demanding re-poll in the constituency. The silent protest began from Kipeuzang junction Peren at around 10.30 a.m. concluded at DC’s office where the NDPP Peren
youth and mahila wings submitted a memorandum. The protesters were seen with placards some of which read—“we demand re-poll”, “we condemn evil manipulation”, “election not selection” etc. Iherie Ndang had alleged that the “distorted result” was unacceptable to the people of his constituency and therefore
demanded for re-poll. In the memorandum NDPP mahila president, Icaisuile Kulim; frontal youth wing president, Haigum and youth wing president, Lungrangai alleged that the EVMs of 7 Peren A/C were manipulated. This was clearly evident as the total vote count (1224 extra) was much higher that the total votes cast, NDPP stated. The party further alleged that the Control Unit of EVM for polling station no. 7/44, 7/45, 7/53 was contradictory to the EVM randomization data issued by the Returning Officer and the Polling Officer on the polling day. The frontal bodies also alleged that the officials deputed for election duty were involved in the conspiracy The party therefore demanded stern disciplinary action against such erring officers and to take remedial measures.
which latter was unanimously agreed by all the MLAs. Answering to a query on the ratio of seat sharing by the parties in the alliance, Nadda said the details would be worked out by the senior leaders very soon. However, he said, the party has come to an understanding on the seat sharing which would be made public very soon. On the issue of present chief minister, T.R. Zeliang refusing to resign, the union Health minister said it was a constitutional matter which the Governor would handle. Nadda said BJP was clear on its stance to support the alliance and to stake claim to form the new coalition government. On the issue leadership, Nadda said proper understanding has been made and that only minor details were needed to be
SC seeks EC reply on use of totaliser for counting of votes NEW DELHI, MAR 5 (PTI): Supreme Court today sought Election Commission’s response on a plea seeking counting of votes using totaliser machines instead of booth-wise counting. A totaliser is a device which allows votes cast in about 14 polling booths to be counted together. Centre said it is not opposed to any kind of electoral reforms, but counting of votes using totaliser machines will result in an inevitable flow of information from electronic voting machines. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked EC to reply to a batch of pleas seeking a new method for counting of votes claiming that booth-wise counting results in discrimination. Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh said there is no mechanism suggested by the petitioners and the EC should file a reply. The bench asked counsel for EC to file its reply in one week and counter to be filed in one week thereafter. It posted the matter for further hearing after two weeks.
worked out. On the sidelines of the BLP meeting at hotel Saramati, BJP election committee convenor, Dr. M. Chuba Ao, said the corporation seat sharing arrangement made so far was 50 for NDPP, 40 for BJP and 10 percent for neutral. And on the seats form Members of Parliament to Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Dr Chuba said, the agreement was that both the parties would have one representative each in both the houses which would be worked out accordingly. He added that the signatories of support signed by the BJP legislators and letter of support to the alliance will be submitted to the government. Nadda said on BJP’s part, the decision was very clear and the prerogatives in regard to other parties in the alliance would be taken care by the NDPP.
said. CM-designate, Conrad Sangma will be administered the oath of office and secrecy along with his council of ministers. On Sunday, Sangma staked a claim to form the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government with the support of six from UDP, four from People’s Democratic Front (PDF), two each from HSPDP and BJP, besides one Independent MLA, Samuel Sangma. Union Home minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president Amit Shah, Assam Finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is the chairman of the North East Democratic Alliance, a nonCongress entity will attend the swearing ceremony at Raj Bhavan. The NPP which won 19 assembly seats in the just concluded state polls is the second largest party after the Congress, which won 21 seats. Meghalaya is the second state, after Manipur and Goa, where the Congress has not been able to forge a post-polls alliance with any of the regional parties despite emerging as the largest single party.
Reconsider poll result: NPF Tening asks ECI DIMAPUR, MAR 5 (NPN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) party 6 Tening assembly constituency (A/C) has appealed to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to reconsider earlier declared result of 6 Tening A/C or call for a fresh poll “for justice and satisfaction of all.” In a press release, NPF 6-Tening A/C president, Namkiak and NPF Peren division president, Haiam Kauring, expressed resentment and dissatisfaction over the issue of overturning declared result of 6 Tening A/C. They said result was overturned even after every formality and norm were observed and okayed. The signatories said the election certificate was thus issued in favour of the NPF candidate Namduadi Rangkau Zeliang, declaring him winner officially in front of all the political parties including the opponents and their agents present at the counting. However, the signatories said NPF partymen and their MLA were later taken by surprise that there were anomalies in the counting. (Cont’d on p-7)
Patton BJP’s legislature party leader DIMAPUR, MAR 5 (NPN): Former NPF Home minister, Y. Patton, who recently joined the BJP and got re-elected, was chosen as the leader of BJP legislature party (BJPLP) Monday. BJP Nagaland through its media cell stated that Patton was unanimously elected at a formal meeting of the party, which was held at Hotel Sarmati, Dimapur on Monday. Patton’s name was proposed by P. Paiwang Konyak and seconded by S. Pangyu Phom. Besides central BJP observers and union minister of health JP Nadda; Himanta Biswa Sarma, finance minister of Assam; Arun Singh, national BJP general secretary and Ajay Jamwal, BJP general secretary (NE Org) all the 12 newly elected BJP MLAs attended the meeting. They include Tovihoto Ayemi, Jocob Zhimomi, Longrineken, Temjen Imna Along, Kazheto Kinimi, H.Khehovi, Y. Patton, Mmhonlumo Kikon, Paiwang Konyak, S. Panngyu, S. Haiying, V. Kashiho Sangtam. Media cell stated that union minister JP Nadda, Arun Singh and Y. Patton along with all the BJP legislators
would meet Nagaland Governor at Kohima on Tuesday with the support letter in favour of NDPP-BJP formation under the leadership Neiphiu Rio as the chief ministerial candidate under the banner of People Democratic Alliance (PDA). The meeting was chaired by the BJP state president, Visasolie Lhoungu. Former BJP state president, Dr. M Chuba Ao also attended the meeting. Meanwhile, the missing NPP legislator, L. Khumo also attended the meeting. It was reported that the NPP Nagaland unit did not know about his whereabouts. Highly placed sources in the BJP informed that the state unit had submitted a representation to Union Health minister, informing the central leadership of their wish-list. Sources said the party had demanded that the post of deputy CM be given to the BJP. It also demanded 50:50 ratio of cabinet berths and to include party workers as chairmen in the government undertakings including chairman of People’s Democratic Alliance. Sources however said that the party will abide by the decision of the central leadership. K Y M C