The internal crisis within the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has intensified after six Naga People’s Front (NPF) councillors reportedly failed to respond to show-cause notices issued by the party over the no-confidence motion against DMC Chairperson Hukheto Yepthomi.
The notices were issued on May 16 by the NPF Dimapur division’s Disciplinary Action Committee after the councillors allegedly joined hands with members of other parties to move the no-confidence motion without approval from the party leadership. The party stated that the move was viewed seriously as it allegedly violated the principles, ideology and constitution of the NPF.
According to party sources, the six councillors did not submit any written explanation even after the expiry of the 24-hour deadline stipulated in the notice. The party had warned that failure to respond would allow the committee to proceed with disciplinary action in their absence.
The rebellion within the DMC surfaced after 12 elected members — six each from the BJP and NPF — submitted a notice seeking a no-confidence motion against the chairperson. Deputy Chairperson Imlinaro Stephanie Ezung is understood to be leading the group backing the motion.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, has convened a special meeting on May 22 to consider the no-confidence motion after finding it procedurally valid under the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023.