KOHIMA, Jan 23 ? The former higher and technical Education Minister, Prof T Chuba, who on Monday resigned from the SC Jamir Cabinet as well as from the Congress, on Tuesday joined the Nagaland People?s Front, and decided to contest the coming elections from Dimapur-I LAC instead of his home constituency in Mokokchung district, NPF sources told PTI.
Expressing strong reservation against the ?policies and programmes of the Jamir Government,? Prof Chuba had tendered his resignation to become the third Cabinet Minister to snap ties with the ruling Congress. The NPF?s ranks were further bolstered when the Home Minister, Neiphiu Rio, and Power Minister, K Therie, who had earlier resigned from the Cabinet leveling charges against the leadership, joined it.
Imkong Imsong, the NPCC vice-president, also resigned from the Congress, and his parting was ascribed by sources to his coming to know that his name had not figured in the list finalised by the party?s election cell at a meeting on Monday. The list was on Tuesday taken to Delhi by the party president, SC Jamir, to get the final nod from the party high command, the sources said.
Prof Chuba, who in his resignation letter had said that he could not reconcile himself with some policies and programmes of the Government, told newwsmen Tuesday that he was dismayed with the contents of the NPCC booklet The Bedrock of Naga Society, published in June, 2001. Most Congress members were made to agree with what the publication says, but I feel the entire write-up was futile,? Prof Chuba maintained.
However, the Pradesh Congress sought to underplay Prof. Chuba?s and the NPCC vice-president, Imkong Imsong?s resignations, saying their desertion would not affect in any way the poll prospects of the ruling party. Party sources pointed out that Prof. Chuba?s resignation was expected because he did not even apply for the party ticket knowing well that he would not be nominated this time from the prestigious Impur seat in Mokokchung district.