We will participate and vote TR Zeliang out: Noke led NPF
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, February 2
After almost a month long of internal squabbling over the issue of change of leadership within the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF), which had disturbed the functioning of the State Government to a great extent, Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya has summoned the ‘special session’ of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) for trial of strength. NLA Speaker Chotisuh Sazo confirmed that the Governor has summoned the Seventh (Emergent) session of the 12th NLA on February 5 at 9:30 am in Kohima.
An official notification issued by NLA Special Secretary A E Lotha here today said, “In exercise of the power conferred by Clause (I) of the Article 174 of the Constitution of India, Governor, P B Acharya has summoned the Seventh (Emergent) Session of the 12th NLA to meet at 9:30 am on February 5 in the Assembly Hall, Kohima.”
The session assumes significance as this would address the internal difference of the NPF, which has been going on for the last 28 days following the open rebellion of 22 NPF legislators withdrawing support to incumbent Chief Minister TR Zeliang-led state government on January 5.
This led to the sacking of seven NPF legislators, including two cabinet ministers by the Chief Minister on January 5 while 11 of the dissident group also resigned from their respective portfolios two-days later.
The dissident NPF legislators under the leadership of G. Kaito Aye approached the Governor staking claim to form the new government under his leadership on January 7. Declaring that TR’s ministry has been reduced to minority, he should step down and pave way for new leadership.
However, on January 9 Chief Minister TR Zeliang while expressing that his government is stable and there is no threat urged upon the Governor to summon the special session of the Assembly for ‘trial of strength’ while State Cabinet approved the same on January 15 recommending for holding of the special session on January 20.
Nonetheless, the dissident group had been rejecting the proposal stating that it is the internal matter of the NPF party and that the Assembly session was not required.
The matter had been pending with the Governor until the notification issued by the Assembly Secretariat here today.
The internal political crisis of the NPF had led to formation of camps by the dissident group in Sovima, Dimapur while those supporting TR Zeliang have also been camping in Kohima.
Besides, the legislators on either camps, the NPF party leaders and workers have also been shattered into groups while its officials are also camping in Dimapur and Kohima.
Meanwhile, talking to this correspondent over phone this evening, the Noke led NPF Legislature Party spokesperson Imkong L. Imchen asserted they would participate in special session and vote out the minority government. “We will participate in the session and vote TR Zeliang out,” he quipped.
The Special Secretary, Nagaland Legislative Assembly, has in a Notification No. AS/LEG-91/2003/2898 on February 2 informed all concerned that:
1. Er. T.L. Semdok, Vice President & In-charge NCP, Nagaland, has appointed L. Khumo as the Chief Whip of the Nationalist Congress Party w.e.f. 28th Jan 2015.
2. Shri. Mhonjan Lotha, President Janata Dal (United) Party Nagaland, has appointed Shri. B.S. Nganlang Phom as the Chief Whip of the Janata Dal (United) Party w.e.f. 28th Jan 2015.
The NPF welcomes the decision of the Honorable Governor to summon a special session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 5th February, 2015. We are confident that the democratic process will be upheld and true democracy will be allowed to prevail where the voice and mandate of the people will be allowed to be expressed without any favoritism in a free and fair manner.
The NPF under the leadership of NPF president Noke Wangnao and Leader of the NPF Legislature Party, G. Kaito Aye urges upon all the members to understand the voice and mandate of the people of Nagaland and a conscience decision with political morality as responsible leaders who represent the people in the true spirit of democracy.
