DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 14: The Rising People’s Party on Friday claimed that the prospect of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio joining BJP ~ in the aftermath of reports of his alleged grilling by the Enforcement Directorate (which the NDPP has refuted) ~ cannot be ruled out now.
In a press statement, the party claimed that Rio is now a prisoner of the BJP. “It’s not surprising that the ED should interrogate the Chief Minister for 6 hours. This interrogation is not the last and we expect more grilling in the days to come.
“Despite the NDPP table thumbing and their protests that the ED grilling the CM is fake news, there’s no smoke without fire”, the statement read.
It pointed out that some months ago, the ED had summoned 5 close confidantes of the CM ~ including his Personal Assistant ~ in connection with the incomplete High Court building construction project. As per reports, Nagaland Government has already withdrawn Rs 70 crore for the project.
“While the question in everyone’s mind is whether the ED will pursue the matter to its logical conclusion or not, it’s amply clear that the CM cannot escape the net cast by the ED. The Chief Minister is now a ‘prisoner’ of the BJP and this will have intense ramifications for the State”, it stated.
The party further claimed that the ED is “vigorously chasing” 10 sitting NDPP MLAs.
“Speculation is rife that the ED has built up cases of corruption against the 10 MLAs. According to sources, these 10 MLAs may strike a bargain with the BJP to join the party.
“Similarly, given the aggressive pursuance of the case by the ED, the Chief Minister too joining the BJP cannot be ruled out either. The NDPP is in a precarious position and there’s absolutely nothing the party can do anything about it”, it stated.
(Page News Service)
