Says statement was made to “provoke the minds of fellow citizens”
Mokokchung, 21 January (MTNews): Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Nagaland, Tokheho Yepthomi on Sunday issued a rejoinder to his earlier statement on Article 371(A). He had earlier on 18 January said during an event in Chumoukedima that Naga people were misusing Article 371(A) impeding the state’s development. The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), to which he belongs, the following day, issued a press statement distancing itself from the remark made by the MP.
“The view is only my personal opinion and does not reflect those of the NDPP or its leadership,” the MP said in his rejoinder issued on Sunday. Reiterating his position, the MP said that his statement on Article 371(A) was to “provoke the minds of fellow citizens in respect of the misuse of Article 371(A) in matters of development activities.”
“For those who are of the opinion that Article 371(A) in no way impedes the development of our state and that corruption is the only cause of our state’s inability to develop then corruption has to stop first and foremost with the voter,” he retorted.
Rejoinder to my statement on Article 371(A) pic.twitter.com/tktDCVZ2XG
— Tokheho Yepthomi (@TokhehoYepthomi) January 21, 2024
Citing at least four reasons to support his stance, Yepthomi also maintained that he did not make any comment on the ongoing political negotiation in relation to Article 371(A) “nor have I said to dilute article 371(A) when negotiations are at a crucial stage.” This was in response to the NDPP.
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