Clarification on Noke-Kiyanelie portfolio swap

A clarification has been issued by N. Loipang, NPF general secretary of 43rd Tapi to the media on the recent portfolios allocation vis-a-vis news item appearing in local dailies on reported portfolio swap between Noke and Kiyanelie. It stated that the Department of Social Welfare was allocated to Noke and as this department alone was not acceptable to party workers and supporters, being the senior most minister, it was placed before the Chief Minister for bigger portfolio or addition of some other department(s).

“In the subsequent meeting with the Chief Minister, a swap of portfolio was suggested by Chief Minister to Minister SSW and PHED to which Noke have made it very clear that further consultation will be required with party workers and supporters before final decision as such is given on the issue. However, quite surprisingly on March 7, 2013 it came out in front page of leading papers on exchange of portfolios between Ministers SSW and PHED which is not factually correct and misleading,” the clarification note stated and further added, ‘the party workers and supporters have made very clear that we will not accept any change of Department and the same was resolved and communicated accordingly’.

In the backdrop of above and in absence of any official notification, the party stated that it is extremely displeased in the way the whole issue has been handled and treatment meted out to their senior most minister who otherwise should have been fully involved in the government formation and allocation of portfolios to ministers.