Dimapur, Aug. 19: Naga People's Front president Shürhozelie Liezietsu today termed the general convention of the party, called by Neiphiu Rio next month, as "illegal and unauthorised".

Suspended NPF member Rio has not been delegated the power by party president Shürhozelie to convene the general convention. It has come to the notice of the party's central headquarters that an "unauthorised person", Thangsat Kuki, former office secretary of the NPF and at present with the Rio group, has been circulating an "illegal circular" on social media, calling for a meeting of the central executive council (CEC) on August 22.

Article IV (3) (c) (iii) of the Constitution of the NPF states that any member of the party may requisition a meeting of the CEC by presenting to the president a memorandum signed by one-third or more of the executive council and such a meeting be convened within 15 days from the date of receipt, said a party communiqué.

The person who is circulating the circular is no longer a member of the NPF. Shürhozelie is neither in receipt of any requisition letter signed or attested by the required one-third members of the CEC, nor has he authorised such a meeting, the communiqué said.

It stressed that the circular should be treated as an illegal and mischievous that is creating confusion among the CEC members.

Article V (3) vests with the president "the power or to delegate power to any office-bearer to convene/preside over, adjourn and prorogue all meetings of the central office, viz, the general convention, the CEC, the working committee and any other committee of the central office."

Meanwhile, Rio has convened a general convention of the party on September 20. "In exercise of the powers conferred on me, I hereby convene the NPF general convention on September 20 at Dimapur," said a press release from the interim president issued earlier.

It added that the venue of the convention would be intimated in due course of time.