Kohima: Cracks appeared in the Nagaland BJP as the BJP women’s wing leaders (Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha- BJMM) and nine district presidents of the state unit demanded the removal of the state unit President Temjen Imna Along.
In a recent development, according to a joint statement three BJP mandal presidents of Tyui Assembly constituency (AC) mandal president Renpenthung Ngullie, Wokha AC mandal president Yiponthung Ezung and Sanis AC mandal president Nchupomo Ngullie appealed to the nine district and organisational presidents to reconsider their decision to resign from their posts pending resolution of the internal crisis within the State unit as reported in the print media on February 14.
The statement admitted that resignations within the party setup at this current juncture would weaken the party structure at all levels and sent a contrasting message as well as a coherent and united party, the three BJP mandal presidents feared that resignations at all levels at this stage could lead to more damage to the party by way of more resignations of other disgruntled elements within the party.
They stressed that now was the right time for a united show of strength and begin work for the forthcoming 2023 Assembly elections, and not for divisions within the party
Earlier, the BJP women’s wing leaders (Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha- BJMM), too has joined the bandwagon seeking removal of Imna Along.
In a press release, 15 former BJMM members led by ex-president Sanuo Ngullie and ex-general secretary Asangla Ao and current state BJMM secretary Phyobeni and executive member Bokali Sumi pointed out that Temjen, who was a cabinet minister holding three portfolios, was faced with the daunting task of carrying forward the party’s work, organisational set-up and functioning due to the dual posits being held by him. This, they said, was leading to divisions amongst party workers, especially due to defeat of the party’s candidate by a huge margin in the by-election to Pungro constituency recently.
They also alleged that one main reason for the defeat was that the incumbent president was not in a position to devote full time and dedication for the overall welfare and interest of the party as he has to manage three departments simultaneously, adding that there was no clear instructions from him to party karyakartas for proper co-ordination, identification of division and management of works.
The BJMM members said this was compounded by lack of resolution of these pressing issues, which in turn caused huge embarrassment to all party members.
They cautioned that if the present state of affairs was allowed to continue, BJP could end up losing more seats in the 2023 Assembly election since the party has no mass contact, the release said.
