Kohima: The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on September 25. Party leaders argue Kumar failed to consult his two fellow commissioners on 14 separate occasions during the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll. They believe he acted arbitrarily to benefit a specific political party.
NPCC Working President C Apok Jamir addressed the media at Congress Bhavan in Kohima. He labeled the situation a threat to democratic processes. Jamir stated, "Therefore, we are of the firm view that everything has been done arbitrarily." The party now views these administrative failures as a criminal matter requiring immediate attention.
NPCC President and Lok Sabha MP S Supongmeren Jamir separately attacked the NPF-led government for poaching municipal and town councilors. He claimed the ruling party hijacks the rights of grassroots elected members by offering money and project promises. He warned this trend destroys the mandate given by voters.
Regarding the Naga political issue, the NPCC reiterated its call to implement the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position immediately. S Supongmeren Jamir noted that former interlocutor RN Ravi previously declared negotiations over. He also distanced the party from Dr. S.C. Jamir’s recent meeting with the RSS chief, calling it a personal visit.
S Supongmeren Jamir also provided an update on road projects. Following a site visit to the Patkai Bridge to Kohima road and the Phesama landslide area on September 24, he vowed to track the work done by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. He demanded better results from contractors and expects visible improvements to the roads by December.
Updated at 26th September 2026 at 9:47am
Apok Jamir specifically flagged the removal of over 100,000 names from the draft electoral roll during the revision process. He also raised alarms over Form 6 requirements that ask for parental and grandparental history, suggesting the data could be exploited to vet applicants for political reasons. To back his call for the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, he cited the Supreme Court judgment in TN Seshan versus Union of India, arguing the ruling labels the commissioner as first among equals and bars arbitrary decision-making.
Supongmeren Jamir questioned why the government appointed a new interlocutor for the Naga peace talks when the existing agreements are already years past their due date. He pointed out that 11 years have passed since the Framework Agreement and nine years since the Agreed Position. The MP noted that while MLAs previously committed to resigning to pave the way for President’s Rule once a settlement was reached, the Congress is focused solely on an immediate, inclusive deal rather than interim political maneuvering.
Addressing the state's crumbling infrastructure, the MP warned that contractors often win bids with low rates only to sublet the work and slash quality. He revealed that restoration on the Phesama stretch began from the Mao side on Friday, with the Kohima side set to start Monday. Work on the Patkai stretch will involve a tunnel, two bridges, and a river diversion. Meanwhile, the Kohima bypass project remains stalled with only 20 percent completion and could drag on for two more years.
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