Shürhozelie fails to show for floor test; Governor dismisses ministry

Our Correspondent Kohima, July 19 (EMN): Beleaguered chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu today failed to turn up in the assembly to face a floor test. Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier had yesterday summoned an ‘emergent special’ session to be held on July 19 on the directive of Governor PB Acharya after the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by Liezietsu challenging the Governor’s earlier directive for him to prove his majority. However, Liezietsu and his supporters including 11 MLAs failed to turn up for the former to obtain vote of confidence in the floor of the House, reportedly on grounds that no one had filed a no confidence motion. The 11 MLAs were Kiyanilie Peseyie, Y Vikheho Swu, Yitachu, Kuzholuzo Nienu, Chotisuh Sazo, CL John, P Longon, R Tohanba, N Thongwang Konyak, T Torechu and Jacob Zhimomi. Speaker Aier during the seventeenth (emergent special) session of the 12th NLA on Wednesday announced that the business recommended by the Governor to move the motion of confidence, the only business of the day, could not be carried out due to the absence of the chief minister, who was to move the motion. The Speaker informed the house that he will submit a report to the Governor on the matter and adjourned the House sine-die. 48 MLAs out of the current strength of 59, including TR Zeliang and the Speaker, attended the session. Governor dismisses Dr. Shürhozelie’s ministry A flurry of swift moves and counter-moves had followed since Liezietsu’s no-show for the floor test in the Assembly today. In an official order, Governor PB Acharya cited his requests to Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu to obtain vote of confidence vide letters dated July 11 and 13 as well as the NLA Speaker’s report that Liezietsu did not attend the emergent Assembly session to test his majority. Governor stated that it was clear that Dr. Shürhozelie has failed to obtain vote of confidence despite repeated opportunities given for the same. “By virtue of powers vested in me by Clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution of India, I, PB Acharya, Governor of Nagaland, hereby withdraw my pleasure from Chief Minister of Nagaland and the Ministry headed by Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu is hereby dismissed with immediate effect,” he stated. In another official letter, addressed to Liezietsu, Governor wrote that subsequent to the Court order, he had considered all the facts, constitutional provisions and prevailing political scenario into account, and directed NLA Speaker to summon an emergent Session of NLA on July 19 to test the majority support of the present cabinet led by Liezietsu. He stated that he received a letter from Liezietsu on July 18 at 10.30 pm, requesting to postpone summoning of the emergent session claiming that most of the members were out of station. However, the Governor differed by pointing out that in Liezietsu in his earlier letter on the same day which was received at 8.10 pm, had mentioned that the council of ministers held a meeting on July 18 itself. “Therefore, your Ministers were in station on 18/07/2017 but did not attend emergent Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 19th July, 2017 at 09:30 AM as per the notice issued by the Speaker. On the other hand, 48 MLAs including the Speaker attended the Session as per the report received from the Speaker. Therefore, your statement that ‘most of the members are out of station’ has no logic. It appears that you have not abided by directions given to you to seek vote of confidence on the floor of the House,” Acharya stated. Therefore, in accordance with provisions of the Constitution, I withdraw my pleasure to the Cabinet headed by you with immediate effect.…. I take this opportunity to thank you for your kind cooperation and valuable contribution for the welfare of the State during your tenure as Chief Minister. Court dismisses Shurhozelie's writ Meanwhile a press statement from the media cell of the NPF Legislature Party supporting TR Zeliang today stated that the writ appeal filed by Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu was dismissed. "A Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court at its principal seat at Guwahati today dismissed the Writ appeal filed by Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu while upholding the judgement and order passed by Justice LS Jamir on 17.7.2017," stated the press release.