Nagaland Home Minister Nephiu Rio has outrightly denied his participation in the previous two meetings of Angami and Tenyimia legislators wherein the formers endorsed the decision of State Chief Minister SC Jamir's sacking of Power Minister K Therie from the Council of Ministers.
The Home Minister said all legislators were de facto members of their public organizations and therefore their actions and statements definitely came under the preview of the respective public organization.
Stating that he was not personally against any organization or individual, the Minister however
explained that in a democratic set up freedom of speech and expression was guaranteed by the
Constitution. As such the feelings and concern expressed by the Angami Public Organization (APO) over K Therie's ouster from the Council of Ministers was well within the Constitutional rights, he pointed out, adding "I see nothing wrong in it".
Rio explained that induction or dropping of Minister from the Council of Minister, for whatever reason, was the prerogative of the Chief Minister but regretted the manner in which Therie was sacked who, he pointed out, was one of the hardworking and efficient Ministers. He said the former Minister had ensured results in whichever Department he held and had been "an upright Naga political leader".
Earlier Angami Legislators in the State held a meeting at the official residence of the Minister of Road and Bridges and Mechanical KV Pusa and resolved to stand solidly behind the Chief Minister's decision in dropping K Therie from the Council of Ministers. The meeting also had deliberation over the Press Statement of Angami Public Organization (APO), which expressed its resentment on the Chief Minister's decision to oust Power Minister Therie from Council of Ministers.
Subsequently, the Tenyimia legislators also held a meeting at the official residence of the State Speaker Z Lohe wherein they endorsed the Chief Minister's decision but alleged the APO Press Statement saying that the Organization had indulged in outright "controversial communal language" and aimed at communalizing the Naga society. Whereas the organization (APO) had only conveyed its resentment over the Therie's ouster, the Home Minister pointed out. But surprisingly the Home Minister's name was also figured in the joint statement of Tenyimia
legislators, whereas he was out of station and not party to either of the two meetings.
It may be mentioned that the Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) has earlier also registered its serious concern on the emerging political scenarios following the sacking of Power Minister Therie from the Council of Ministers. Front's President Neilo Khape and General Secretary Zhopayi Nakro asserted if Therie was critical about the contentious "Bedrock of Naga Society" booklet, it depicted his (Therie) clear vision and farsightedness.
The Front said Chief Minister might have prerogative but his prerogative should be based on virtuous action. It however stated if the Chief Minister dropped Therie for the larger interest of the Nagas, he be blessed.
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