Principal Correspondent
Kohima, January 6
The dissident group comprising 23 members along with the support of Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition partners taking the magic figure to 31 in the 60-member State Assembly with G. Kaito Aye as the new leader is all set to stake claim for formation of the third DAN-III government by Wednesday. Talking to this correspondent over phone, newly appointed NPF Legislature Party spokesman Imkong L. Imchen said since the Governor is out of station, the claim to form the new government could not be staked Tuesday but a team of 23 NPF members, the major constituent of the DAN-III government, would approach him tomorrow (Wednesday) and form the new government.
Supplementing the claims of Imchen, incumbent Minister for Roads & Bridges Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said, “we have 23 elected members out of the 38 in the House of 60 with us (dissident group) and since the Governor would be arriving Kohima tonight (Tuesday), we would be staking claim to form the new DAN-III government under Kaito Aye by Wednesday”. He, however, said the time for staking the new government was not intimated despite the new leadership under Kaito already staking the claim with Raj Bhavan.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang’s full statement
“When people of Nagaland have given the NPF party an absolute mandate to run the affairs of the state, our utmost priority should be to repay them back with stable Government and deliver the goods in time. However, it is unfortunate that some disgruntled elements within the NPF legislators have taken their self-interest above the people’s welfare and have been brazenly trying to victimize the people by attempting to disrupt the smooth sailing of the duly elected Government. Elected members should know that the ultimate victim of the fallout of the unstable government is the common man and woman.
As a leader of the DAN-III legislatures’ party, I must reiterate that my prime objective is to provide stable Government in the state so that the people of Nagaland progress and prosper without any disturbance. Leadership cannot be imposed upon the people nor should be purchased. As such, I will not bow down nor allow the NPF party to succumb to the pressure tactics and psychological game plan of some members who are all out to betray the people’s trust reposed upon the NPF party for their own selfish interest. If at all there has to be change of leadership there has to be a sound reason and with the consensus decision of the NPF party, but not at the whims and fancy of some elected members who desperately wants to grasp the power.
Again, if leadership keep changing for two to three times in five year tenure without any valid reason that necessitated the change of leadership in the Government, we will have no time to work for our people and we will be failing on our part as responsible elected member.
In Governance or for that matter in politics no Chief Minister can fully satisfy all the members with plumb portfolio or cabinet berth. As a leader chosen to lead the Government, I have tried my best to contain the needs of every legislator during the change of guard hoping that they will keep the welfare of the people above their self interest and good sense will prevail, but it is unfortunate that some responsible leaders have failed to understand their swore responsibility.
My legislator colleagues in the dissidents’ camp have pointed out that I have failed to push for early settlement of the Naga Political Problem. But I must state that right from the time I took up the responsibility of Chief Minister, I have time and again reiterated that my foremost priority will be to facilitate the early settlement of Naga political problem and in pursuance of my commitment, I have reminded the Government of India on many occasions that solution to the Naga political problem is the ardent desire of the Naga people and a time come has for Government of India to act without further procrastination. But every citizen knows that Indo-Naga conflict is an issue of more than 6 (six) decades and it cannot be hammer out in a midnight. My predecessor, Mr Neiphiu Rio had led the state as Chief Minister for more than a decade but even he could do little or nothing on this issue, how then can people expect me to do miracle in seven months?! Therefore, it is an absurd allegation.
In regard to relations with the NDA Government at the Centre, I have always maintained good rapport with the Central Government and I believe that I still enjoy their confidence. With the hope that the Centre will magnanimously come to rescue our poor fiscal health, I have on number of occasion appraised the Central leaders of our fragile financial conditions and lack of resources to generate our own revenue. I have met prime minister and many other union ministers in this regards. However, to give special package/grant or not to give is the prerogative of the Central Government, therefore, it is illogical to put the whole blame on me for not able to improve the state financial position within a short span of time.
Moreover, every citizen of the state is well aware that when I took over the chair of Chief Minister, I inherited a huge deficit burden from the past leadership. Consequently, the onus of cleaning all the financial mess viz-a-viz redeeming the state financial position has befallen on me. I am trying my best to salvage the state and its people from this precarious situation. It must also be understood that the Centre has taken time to release the money to all the states due to replacement of Planning Commission with a new institution called NITI Aayog. But now with the replacement process being completed hopefully the Centre will release the money at the right time and allow the state to regain its normal fiscal conditions.
Therefore, I appeal to all my legislator colleagues to understand the real situation and not to take governance like a mere child play, but act responsibly for the larger interest of the people.
Mr. Nephiu Rio, the former Chief Minister and present Lok Sabha Member, was and is my best friend. In good time and bad time we have work together to provide stable Government in the interest of the people of Nagaland during the last two successful tenure of NPF led DAN regimes under his leadership. I have sacrificed all my best and faithfully stood by him to keep his leadership intake for the last one decade of DAN regime. When he expressed his desire to contest last Lok Sabha election, we the NPF party and the legislators try to persuade him not to leave the state as his going away will weaken the party and Government, but it was his desire to go to Delhi and partake in the national politics for the cause of Nagas. Therefore, our party had no choice, but to let him contest as it was his own choice and he won the election with huge margin with concerted efforts of the NPF party workers along with DAN alliance partners. We have been grateful to the people of Nagaland for reposing full trust in him. I never expected that he will come back to the state politics and play the role of ungrateful friend, instead of concentrating in his assigned task at Delhi. Anyway, in politics “there is no permanent friend and no permanent foe”.
