The Congress alleged that its candidate was “lured” into withdrawing her candidature from the ensuing ULB election with the promise of offering a “nominated seat” to the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) by BJP MLA Tovihoto Ayemi
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Tuesday filed a complaint against sitting MLA, and advisor, tribal affairs and election, Nagaland, for violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in the ensuing ULB and town council elections due on June 26 and also other electoral provisions.
NPCC in a letter endorsed by its legal department secretary R Alemwati Jamir highlighted that the incident on June 17 evening was an eventuality after Kanili Kinilimi was set up as an INC candidate to the upcoming ULB election from Ward-7, Dimapur, where declaration service of her candidacy to contest with Congress ticket was held, however, it was alleged that the Congress candidate was “lured” into withdrawing her candidature from the ensuing ULB election on June 17 leaving the Congress party in utter shock with the promise of offering a “nominated seat” to the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) by BJP MLA, and advisor, tribal affairs and election, Nagaland, Tovihoto Ayemi.
Stating that the action of the MLA not only undermines the “dignity and integrity” of the electoral institution but also blatantly violates a number of penal and electoral laws, Alemwati Jamir, also said that the NPCC is extremely appalled at such “sneaky and cheap tricks” used by a third time elected member to the Nagaland legislative assembly from a nationally recognised party knowing fully well that such acts are unconstitutional and would attract the rigour of law in letter and in spirit.
Also saying that the conduct of an MLA adversely interferes with the spirit of free and fair election which is the very pillar and foundation of universal adult suffrage, the NPCC truly condemns the unscrupulous voluntary act of the sitting MLA for not only undermining the MCC and other provisions of the law but also for destroying the integrity and image of electoral institutions which calls for the intervention of the kind authority.
It further requested the Nagaland state election commission to thoroughly investigate the matter at the earliest and summon the culprit for questioning of his act of action as per the procedure established by law and take necessary action so that the integrity and sanctity of the electoral process of one of the largest democratic nation be restored.
NPCC accuses BJP of pressuring its candidate to withdraw from DMC poll
The NPCC on Tuesday alleged the BJP for pressurising one of its nominees to the ULB elections due on June 26.
According to a statement issued by NPCC, while criticising the act of H Tovihoto Ayemi, and the BJP, Nagaland unit for coercing Congress candidate Kanili Kinilimi, of Ward 7 to withdraw her candidature from the upcoming Dimapur Municipal Council polls in exchange for a nominated members berth, it has urged the Nagaland state election commission to initiate necessary action for prompt delivery of justice and win back the confidence of the electorate of the affected ward and the state.
Furthermore, the Nagaland committee also pointed that undemocratic practices aimed at subverting the will of the people should not be tolerated and should be denounced in the strongest possible terms by all right-thinking citizens.