Induction in phase manner as there are too many groups: Zeliang. Says re-induction of dissident legislators depends on reconciliation
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, April 27
After more than three months of internal squabbling within the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the first phase of induction into the 11-month old TR Zeliang ministry was witnessed today with elevation and induction of six first timers as Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries. Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Information & Public Relations, Paiwang Konyak of the BJP has been elevated as cabinet minister.
Governor P. B. Acharya administered the oath of office and allegiance to Paiwang at Durbar Hall in Raj Bhavan amidst the presence of leaders of NPF, BJP, JD(U) and NCP and senior bureaucrats, high ranking police and army officers.
Later, Chief Minister T R Zeliang inducting five Parliamentary Secretaries at State Banquet Hall administered oath of office and allegiance to Independent MLAs - Levi Rengma, Amenba Yaden, Y. M. Yollow Konyak, Toyang Changkong and BJP’s Mmhonlumo Kikon.
Levi had submitted his resignation as NLA Deputy Speaker yesterday, which has been accepted by the Speaker Chotisuh Sazo.
The latter four MLAs were holding charges as chairmen and advisors of government undertakings in the state.
All the six legislators sworn-in today are first timers in the NLA. Except for Amenba the rest are young and upcoming political leaders of the State between the age group of 38 to 45.
Both the ceremonies were presided by Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar. Leaders from civil societies and MLAs from the dissident NPF group led by G. Kaito Aye, State’s lone Rajya Sabha MP, Khekiho Zihimomi alongside galaxy of ministers and parliamentary secretaries were also among the galaxy of dignitaries attended the swearing-in ceremonies.
Meanwhile, interacting with media-persons after the ceremony at State Banquet Hall in CMO, T R Zeliang informed that the portfolios to all of them would be distributed after the completion of the next phase by first week of May.
He said that the decision to make induction in phase manner was taken because “we have so many groups and we need to consult and decide properly, for which even the DAN coordination committee is going to have meeting today.”
He asserted that the second phase would complete the filing of vacant posts of cabinet ministers, and it will be the last.
He said that even after the second phase no massive change of portfolios would be affected except some mild changes within those holding the departments and allocation of departments to the new parliamentary secretaries.
But for now, Paiwang will continue to look after the department he has been holding and also the Parliamentary Secretaries having departments will function with it or else they have to wait till further allocation.
He also said that as Levi has resigned as the Deputy Speaker of NLA, election would be conducted only in the next session of Assembly to elect a new deputy speaker, which is likely to be during the full budget session sometime in July this year.
Speaking on whether the merger of three NCP MLAs into BJP has been accepted as the then NCP MLA and presently under BJP, Mmhonlumo had been inducted as Parliamentary Secretary from BJP, Zeliang diplomatically replied that their case is pending in the Supreme Court but since they had won in High Court they are still valid members in NLA.
The HC ruling is clear that their merger is valid while SC has not given any stay but just postponed the hearing so till such time the matter is settled in the court they are considered as BJP.
On BJP’s clear warning against inclusion of Congress MLAs into the DAN ministry, he said “we will discuss the matter.”
T R Zeliang then clarified that it should not be termed as party-less government but the right word should be an opposition-less government.
On the issue of re-induction of dissident NPF MLAs into the ministry, he said it all depends on the process of reconciliation which is in progress.
Asked on the possible withdrawal of disqualification petition filed by NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie against the 20 dissident MLAs, he said the issue is pending with the Assembly and decision will be taken by the Speaker. “But if we compromise and reconcile in toto then the petition can be withdrawn only after completing the process of reconciliation,” he said. T R Zeliang however added that presently it is the prerogative of the Speaker and he will decide.
On the possibility of all NPF dissident members attending the April 30 NPF General Convention, Zeliang expressed optimism saying that “we believe that all will come together because they have called off their convention summoned by Noke so therefore we believe that everybody will come for this general convention because we have to fulfill the direction of the Election Commission”.
Nevertheless, he reverberated saying that the “a reconciliation meeting will be held this evening with four of us including Noke Wangnao, G Kaito Aye and Dr. Shürhozelie”. The meeting is to discuss on how to go about with the reconciliation process and resolve the problem, Zeliang added.
Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang while expressing that the Naga people by and large desire for peace and progress have appealed the Government of India (GoI) not to accept the move for abrogation of cease fire by any Naga underground group.
Interacting with media-persons after the swearing-in ceremony of five fresh Parliamentary Secretaries at State Banquet Hall, Zeliang said the State Cabinet has decided to appeal to underground faction (NSCN-K), which has decided to abrogate the cease fire, not to do so and also appealed to the GoI not to accept it at this juncture.
“We will also go and discuss with the Government of India not to accept it as our people by and large want peace and when people want peace the GoI should not accept such move at this crucial junction,” he said.
“We hope they will consider,” he added.
Asked to comment on the present law and order situation in the state, Zeliang accepted that it has been deteriorating while saying “it is very unfortunate that such things are happening in our state”.
He strongly said “when we are looking for solution to the Naga political issue, any faction trying to create problem is not welcome”.
On recognition of NSCN (Reformation) by the state government, he said, “It is purely between the underground group and GoI, we were not consulted… we can only contribute only when asked for opinion”.
Nonetheless, the Chief Minister said that “the State government will surely welcome whichever faction going for negotiation or declaring cease fire with the GoI to maintain peace in the State”.
