Principal Correspondent
Kohima, January 15
Expressing concern over the growing differences and the prolonging impasse over change of leadership within the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF), the State Cabinet under the leadership of TR Zeliang today recommended holding of special session of State Assembly for trial of strength. Addressing a press conference at de Oriental Grand (hotel) here this afternoon, NPF-led DAN Legislature Party spokesperson, Yitachu said, “The State Cabinet sat today in the Civil Secretariat and it has recommended summoning of the Assembly on January 20.” He said that the recommendation has already been forwarded to the Assembly Secretariat for onward processing to the Governor.
Yitachu said the floor of the Assembly is the only appropriate place to test the strength of the incumbent leader TR Zeliang and also to resolve the impasse within NPF which has entered the 11th day today following the open rebellion by 22 NPF legislators demanding change of leadership on January 5 last.
“On January 20 the government will prove its majority and then crisis will be over,” Yitachu quipped.
He said that since there is the sitting Chief Minister, who on January 9 had requested the Governor to summon the session to prove his majority, but since it is taking long and the people of the state cannot be kept at ransom, the Cabinet recommended for holding the special Assembly session.
On Governor approving the session, he said that “now that the Cabinet has recommended the Governor will have not much choice but to summon the session”.
The Assembly has to be summoned and there each and every member of the House (60) can express their mind freely, he said adding that Assembly is the only place where the actual result will come out and the people will come to know the real picture on the leadership issue.
The people of Nagaland have to wait till January 20 to the actual position of the leadership issue, he added.
Yitachu also exerted confidence that the incumbent Chief Minister has the support of the majority of the DAN legislators, which includes 15 NPF (excluding Speaker), Four BJP, One each NCP and JD(U) besides seven Independent MLAs have also extended their support to TR Zeliang while the other dissident group led Kaito Aye was just 13 NPF legislators and one Independent MLA.
He reiterated that many of the dissident legislators have been misinformed and misled, but they would return to the original NPF fold once they realize that they had been taken for a ride.
He said that out of 22 MLAs supporting the dissident group as claimed by them, nine of them have been suspended and they cannot attend any of the NPF board or legislature meetings to cast their vote, while they can attend the Assembly and cast vote, but it would also be under the chief whip’s directive. The effective strength of NPF outside the House if 29, out of which 15 are with TR Zeliang, he said.
He also disclosed that the NPF Chief Whip would be issuing a whip before the holding of the session so that no NPF legislator can vote against the incumbent leader. He also said that even if anyone votes against or abstains from voting will be treated under the Anti-Defection law and they would be liable of being disqualified from the House under the law.
“Whatever undertakings signed by the members giving the allegiance is illegal and whatever undertaking signed with the Party is enforceable and if violated is liable for Party president action,” he said.
Claiming that the DAN partners – NPF, BJP, JD (U) and NCP are intact as none of the partners has officially withdrawn as alliance partners, he said any of the DAN legislators also cannot vote against the leadership as they are still members of the alliance. He however said that the respective party would issue own whip upon their elected members.
The DAN government does not have any problem, and all the dissident activities are illegal and undemocratic under the Anti-Defection law, he said, adding, “We (DAN) are together and we will continue to work and function together”.
On the other hand, Yitachu also maintained that there was no need of approaching the Opposition Congress members for the survival of the government.
Further, maintaining that the official list of newly elected NPF team under Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu by the general convention on November 25, 2014 in Kohima is available with the Election Commission India (ECI) and so formation of parallel NPF party does not arise and it is illegal while the law will also not take cognizance by any court.
Four BJP MLAs have rushed to New Delhi today to consult the Central party leaders in connection with the current political impasse in the state. Sources said BJP state unit president Chuba Ao led the team. The BJP legislators are P Paiwang Konyak, TM Lotha, Imtilemba Sangtam and Mmhonlumo Kikon. Sources said these Nagaland BJP leaders will consult the Central BJP leaders on Friday.
It was not clear whether these BJP MLAs were being asked to come by the Central BJP leaders to Delhi.
