In a significant development two legislators of Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM)  have defected to the Nagaland People’s Front, the major constituent of Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government headed by Neiphiu Rio.

Kihoto Hollohon and Kipili Sangtam is a welcome addition to the NPF as it takes the strength of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) to 31.Both have since become ministers.

The NDM, as can be expected expelled both the MLAs from the party and accused them of conspiring to cause a split in NDM MLA ranks.

This is nothing but anti-party activity, said  Party president K. L. Chishi. The former chief minister said expulsion is justified as Kihoto Hollohon and Kipili Sangtam violated the three-line party whip issued to all elected members of the party on March 2 itself.

Hollohon has been sworn in as a cabinet minister. Sangtam has been inducted as a minister of state.

Clarifying his stand Hollohon said “the Naga people have given a mandate for change under the banner of DAN and it was appropriate that the NDM should have participated in the alliance;  but since this was not the thinking of the party leadership we have decided to respect the mandate of the people by leaving NDM and joining NPF”.

He revealed that he had requested the leadership to join DAN but unfortunately the suggestion was turned down    which led in the split of the party. Hollohon claimed that their departure from NDM was not to   get the benefit of high offices but   to strengthen the stability of the alliance government, and to work towards the achieving the settlement of the Naga political issue.

Veteran politician and NPF president Vizol has welcomed Hollohon and Sangtam to the ruling party fold.

JAMIR’S LIEUTENANTS ATTACKED

Just a day after the new Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland Government came to power in Kohima, the opposition leader and former industries minister in the S.C. Jamir government, I Imkong was attacked by NPF youth from Kilangmen village at Japfu hotel where the fact finding team of the Election Commission was conducting hearing on irregularities during the polling in the Arkakong and Pungro-Kiphire assembly segments.

The Congress Legislature Party leader who was allegedly accused of booth capturing during the repolling at Kilangmen village under Mokokchung district on March 28 was physically attacked by a mob of about 30 NPF supporters in front of the hotel while trying to escape from the backdoor after being cornered.

Although, the leaders of opposition escaped unhurt in the incident, the Additional Superintendent of Police, Kohima, Neiba Newmai sustained head injury, while trying to protect the MLA elected from Jangpetkong assembly segment.

The Addl SP was hit with a stone on the head by the protestors. He was shifted to hospital but later released after first aid.

Four NPF supporters involved in the attack were arrested while the remaining managed to escape. The NPF youths reached from Kilangmen village to demand a repoll in the polling station    situated in their village where the CLP leader allegedly was instrumental in capturing the booth.

Imkong was later escorted out under heavy security and immediately rushed to Dimapur.Meanwhile, the Election Commission’s fact-finding team    led by secretary Ghanshyam  Khohar held its hearing in      respect of both the assembly segments, whose results were withheld.

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