JD(U) 5-Ghaspani II candidate resigns and joins rival Lok Janshakti Party
Ahead of the State Assembly election, giving a major blow to the Nagaland State Unit of Janata Dal (United), Kitoho S Rotokha, the then Nagaland Secretary General and the JD(U) candidate for Ghaspani II, resigned from the party on Friday morning. He later joined the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) in the evening.
This announcement comes barely five days after the JD(U), in the presence of JDU Nagaland President NSN Lotha, JDU National President Rajiv Ranjan Lalan Singh, General Secretary and in-charge of the Northeast Afaque Ahmed Khan, Rajya Sabha MP Aneel Hegde, and Bihar Minister Sanjay Kumar, announced Rotokha’s candidature.
It is to be noted that Chirag Paswan led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) formed in 2021 is a bitter rival of Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) in Bihar and a PM Modi sympathizer.
According to a press release, following an emergency meeting on Wednesday at JDU Office Dimapur, the state executive bearers of the JDU Nagaland, led by general secretary Imsumongba Pongen, unanimously resolved to resign en masse from the primary and active membership of the party as “they have lost confidence on the state unit president NSN Lotha.”
Rotokha accused the leader of “self-styled party governance” and a “communication gap” caused by the president’s “lack of opportunity for input from participants.”
“The president adopting a dictatorial attitude offers no exposure or scope for individual or organizational growth and has put an end to the hopes and aspirations of the party members. The support and the quality of leadership expected from the president were pitiful,” the statement said.
Rotokha further accused Lotha of exercising authoritarian control without consulting the other members of the state unit in a media statement on February 3. According to him, Lotha announced that only the party’s state president and general secretary would be given tickets, preventing other potential candidates from running.
“Lotha is working to bring down JDU in Nagaland,” he said.
Rotokha formally joined the Lok Jan Shakti Party on Friday evening, in the presence of the party’s national youth president, Pranab Kumar, who is in charge of the northeast, as well as other state leaders. After joining the LJP, he promised not to let the party’s goals slip.
JD(U) national extends support to NSN Lotha
In response to Rotokha’s allegations, JD(U) national general secretary Khan issued a statement on Friday condemning Rotokha’s anti-party activities and expelling him from the party.
“Appropriate legal action will be taken against him for tarnishing the JDU’s good image in Nagaland,” the statement said.
The state executive party meeting, according to the statement, was not authorized and was not led by general secretary Pongen because, it said, he is very much a part of JD(U) Nagaland. Other than Rotokha, it was stated that the other alleged state executives did not have the approval of the JDU national office, rendering their appointments illegitimate and perhaps fake.
It also stated that Lotha has the unwavering support and blessings of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and party national president Singh.
“This very confidence of the party high command is absolute and no vested interest can destroy the faith reposed upon Lotha by the party high command,” it added.
JD(U) Nagaland reiterates post-poll alliance with any party
In another press statement, the JD (U) Nagaland reiterated its willingness to form a post-poll alliance with any political party, including the NDPP and the BJP, stating that the JD(U) High Command has granted JD(U) Nagaland “Regional Autonomy” to form a post-poll alliance with any political party at the convenience of the state unit of the JD(U) insofar as it can serve the greater interest of the welfare of the people of Nagaland.
However, the JD(U) Nagaland reaffirmed its stand to continue without having any pre-poll alliance although the party claimed that “some like-minded political parties are approaching to forge an alliance with JD(U).”
According to the statement, the JDU has received more than 25 applications and anticipates receiving more candidates. However, the party stated that it is determined to contest “only in winnable constituencies so as to concentrate its resources and time.”
Meanwhile, the declaration program of Imsumongba Pongen for 4-Ghaspani I has been scheduled on Saturday at CTC Hall, Chumoukedima.