Change of guard never in my wildest dreams: Nagaland Dy CM Patton

Guwahati: A day after EastMojo reported on the ‘meeting’ of NSCN-IM leader Thuingaleng Muivah and two former party mates — Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Y Patton and opposition Naga People’s Front’s (NPF) TR Zeliang over a possible ‘change in guard’ in Nagaland, both the leaders on Tuesday refuted the news and termed it false and fabricated.

“The rumours that is doing round in social media wherein I am alleged to have met collective leadership along with former CM and present leader of Opposition in the State TRZ for possible change of guard is totally false and never in my wildest dreams [sic],” Nagaland deputy chief minister Y Patton said while addressing media persons in Dimapur on Tuesday.

He later took to Twitter to talk about his interaction with the media fraternity.

On the other hand, former chief minister Zeliang, who is also the leader of the opposition, also termed the report as fictitious. “Why does media outlets keep reporting on hearsay and speculation arising out of insecurity of a section of people. Journalism ethics should be nurtured and practiced. The EastMojo article about political development to topple the PDA in Nagaland is fictitious,” he wrote on Twitter.

Also Read: Nagaland: Change in guard soon? Dy CM Patton, ex-CM ‘meet’ Muivah

However, Zeliang’s comment evoked some sharp reactions from Twitterati. Here are some samples:

Meanwhile, terming the news report an act of some political adversaries trying to create confusion in the minds of the people as well as to create distrust in the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) fabrics, Patton also said that there was no logic in the statement as the state BJP leader has “only party central leaders and high command to consult and take instructions for any political move in the state governance”.

“The alliance between BJP and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is a pre-poll agreement and thereafter the formation of PDA government under the dynamic leadership of Neiphiu Rio is based on gentleman agreement which stands solid rock till date with a commitment to complete the term successfully,” Patton added.

On the “allegation” of meeting the NSCN-IM leader along with Zeiliang at Camp Hebron, the state deputy chief minister said, “Never had I and TRZ been together in camp Hebron in recent times. Why should I disturb any Naga political group leaders for change of guard when they’re seriously engaged in finding permanent peace and solution for the Nagas. I vehemently condemn this statement of unauthenticated, unrealistic and defamatory in nature [sic].”

He, however, claimed that “over and above, what is wrong in it even if I meet any of the Naga political leaders?”

“I as the state home minister in-charge, it is also my bounden duty and responsibility to meet and encourage them to expedite the prolonged Naga political settlement in the interest of all the Naga people but there’s no logic in it on my part or for that matter for any legislators to meet our Naga political group leaders for change of guard. This is totally false, unbecoming and ridiculous. I dispel this rumour once and for all,” Patton added.

Meanwhile, terming the news report as a propaganda, president of Nagaland unit of the BJP, Temjen Imna Along, wrote on Twitter, “ This is a propaganda again. State BJP president with all ranks and files of the party and BLP leader deputy chief minister, all ministers, advisers stand with PD Alliance.”