Both factions of NPF hold meetings

Amidst the ongoing leadership difference and division of ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) for over two months, both NPF Central under Shurhozelie Liezietsu and NPF Party under Neiphiu Rio today held separate meetings to show their strength of supporters.
NPF Central held the consultative meeting of all its frontal organisations at NPF Central Headquarters in Kohima while Rio led NPF held the General Convention of the Party at Dimapur District Sports Complex.
Leaders of the Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh units were also divided into both the groups of NPF while their representatives also addressed both the gatherings.
NPF Central following threadbare discussion on the prevailing situation resolved to repose unflinching support to the leadership of president Shurhozelie Liezietsu and his team of office bearers.

The NPF Central also outrightly condemned the "unconstitutional, illegal and unauthorised" so-called General Convention being organised at Dimapur by expelled and suspended MLAs and MP.
NPF Central also urged the Election Commission of India not to take cognizance of the so-called General Convention claiming that it does not have the sanction of Central Office.

The NPF Central demanded that the Speaker of Nagaland Assembly give a time-bound ruling as specified by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on the Ground of Defection) Rules, 2003, wherein he is required to pass an order within 7 days of receipt of the reply from the respondents.

Further, NPF Central also expressed full confidence on the judiciary to deliver justice at the earliest in the matters filed before it while also appealing to the rank and file of the party to be patient and await the outcome of the Court verdicts.
On the appeal by some party leaders not to be too stubborn if any of the dissident legislators want to return, he said "if anybody realise their mistake and comes back we are ready to take them".
NPF led by Rio along with 36 expelled and suspended NPF legislators including Chief Minister T R Zeliang in their general convention resolved to approve the motion of both the legislative party and organisational bodies of the party for removal of Liezietsu from the office of the party with effect from August 31 for his alleged autocratic, dictatorial, undemocratic and unconstitutional functioning of the party.

It also endorsed and adopted the unanimous decision of the August 22, 2017 Central Executive Council meeting appointing Neiphiu Rio, former chief minister and Member of Parliament as president of the NPF with effect from August 13, 2017.
The NPF General Convention also urged upon the Election Commission of India to recognise the established majority of both the legislative party and the organisational structure of the party and deliver justice at the earliest to the NPF led by President Rio.
It also reiterated its election manifesto of committing itself as the facilitator in the peace process and adopted the policy of equi-closeness.

While acknowledging and appreciating the ongoing progress on the Indo-Naga peace process, the NPF General Convention urged upon the negotiating parties to expedite the negotiation to bring about an inclusive and early settlement, honourable and acceptable to the Naga people.