Dimapur: National People’s Party (NPP) on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to Nuklutoshi Longkumer, MLA and leader of the Nagaland NPP Legislature Party, for allegedly going against the party’s officially nominated candidate, I Abenjang, for the April 9 by-election to the Koridang assembly constituency.The notice, issued by NPP national general secretary (organisation) Paknga Bage, asked Longkumer to explain within seven days why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated against him and why his conduct should not be treated as anti-party activity under the party constitution.He was also asked to explain why action, including suspension pending inquiry or expulsion, should not be taken against him.According to the notice, the party had received information, backed by material in the public domain, including statements made by Longkumer during a press interaction at the Dimapur NPP office on Friday, in which he reportedly expressed his intention to go against the party’s officially nominated candidate.NPP said it had officially nominated a candidate for the election and that all party members, especially elected representatives, were bound to uphold and support such decisions.It said Longkumer’s conduct, if established, would amount to a prima facie violation of the NPP constitution.Pending consideration of his reply, the party directed Longkumer to refrain from making any further public statements or engaging in any activity inconsistent with party directives, warning that any violation could invite immediate interim disciplinary action.The notice said that if he failed to submit his explanation within the stipulated period, it would be presumed that he had no explanation to offer and the party would be free to proceed ex parte in accordance with its constitution and disciplinary procedures.During the press interaction, Longkumer said the candidate selection process had not been followed properly.He said the state unit came to know of the decision only through media reports.Longkumer also said the party should not have fielded a candidate, citing the oppositionless government in Nagaland.He further said the state unit would write to the party leadership expressing its discontent and might refrain from campaigning for the candidate.
