Kohima, Feb. 18: With more new twists to the issue about who would be replacing TR Zeliang as chief minister, Zeliang has dispelled any dissidence in the party reiterating that all decisions so far have been done collectively and future decisions will also be taken in the same manner–collectively.
When contacted, the chief minister, who is currently in New Delhi, said that he was ready to resign and pave the way for any new leader, provided that the new leader was chosen by consensus.
Zeliang also dismissed reports of his handing over his resignation papers to Governor PB Acharya in New Delhi, saying he would not and could not resign ‘secretly.’To the reports that around 50 MLAs were camping at a resort in Kaziranga since late Friday night, Zeliang said they were there for consultations. He implied that unless a consensus candidate was put up, he could not resign and leave the seat of the chief minister vacant.
Likewise, when queried if word on the streets that former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio being proposed over NPF president and DAN chairman Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu as his successor was true, he said this was yet to be decided. This, according to him, was the reason that a consultation was being held and opinion was being sought from his colleagues.
The chief minister also confirmed that he would be arriving in the state on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a legislator currently at Kaziranga said on condition of anonymity that a consultative meeting was held this evening. They are waiting for the chief minister to come and take the “final call,” it was informed. He also confirmed that the ‘earlier’ dissidents have come together and ‘reconciled’ with the majority of the MLAs.
Although he dodged answering directly when asked if Rio was named the consensus candidate to take over from TR Zeliang, he said there was a possibility that Zeliang might “go to Delhi” after a change of guard.
