CM TR Zeliang, NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie, Rio, Khekiho and others also call on Acharya
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, January 7
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] six-member team led by G Kaito Aye met Governor PB Acharya to stake claim for installation of a new ‘popular’ NPF-led DAN-III government under his leadership. Talking to this correspondent over phone, the newly elected NPF Legislature Party spokesman, Imkong L. Imchen, said a six-member team led by Kaito called on the Governor late Wednesday evening to stake claim for formation of a new DAN-III government. Kaito was accompanied by Kuzholuzo Neinhu (Azo), CM Chang, Deo Nukhu, Dr. TM Lotha and Imkong Imchen
He also said the meeting with Governor was positive and that the group is satisfied and hopeful that democracy will prevail and they would be allowed to form the new government.
Asked about the response of the Governor, Imchen said the Governor has informed them that he will have proper consultations with Advocate General (AG) of Nagaland KN Balgopal, who is presently out of station.
Imchen said the Governor has informed that the AG will arrive Kohima tomorrow after which he would have consultations on the constitutional provisions on the matter and other relevant issues and subsequently act upon it.
Meanwhile, Imchen, in a release late Wednesday night, said they have demanded immediate dismissal of the minority government headed by TR Zeliang, who has lost the support and confidence of the majority.
“We demanded that he immediately step down and pave the way for installation of a popular government in the greater interest of the people of Nagaland,” Imchen said in the release.
Imchen also said they assured the Governor to form a stable government and build up a strong relationship with the NDA government to strengthen the peace process and bring about accelerated all round development of the State.
They further appealed to all sections of the people and the party organization to be calm, be firm and united to uphold and respect the mandate of the people.
They also appealed to the NPF president to release the MLAs who have been ‘forcefully confined under house arrest conditions in the Hotel Oriental Grand in Kohima using the State’s police forces’, the release said.
Terming this action as completely undemocratic, dictatorial and suppression of the rights of the elected members, the release said forceful confinement of the members is a disrespect of the people’s voice. The release claimed that there are several members who want to strengthen the leadership of G Kaito Aye but they are being denied their rights and appealed to the State’s forces and law enforcing agencies to ensure that the democratic process is upheld and the law is not vitiated.
The six dissident leaders after calling on the Governor left for their camp in Dimapur.
As the political crisis within the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) continued, Governor PB Acharya, who was in Tripura, arrived Kohima late Tuesday night and was today briefed about the entire political development in the State.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang along with NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu called on the Governor early morning at 8 am apprising him about the entire situation.
They reportedly informed the Governor that despite ongoing rebellion within the NPF legislators, the present government is stable and there is no need for change of guard.
On the other hand, the two members of Parliament, Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho Zhimomi, along with some senior leaders and former MPs Chingwang Konyak and Imchalemba also called on the Governor.
They too reportedly apprised him about the entire scenario while also opining that as decided by the NPF Legislators Party, the Governor should consider giving the opportunity to G Kaito Aye to form the government.
The Governor reportedly sought the advice of constitutional luminaries and the Advocate General of Nagaland before taking any decision, sources said.
Concerned over the internal crisis of the NPF that has entered the fourth day on Wednesday, BJP Nagaland has appealed to both the groups to amicably resolve their differences at the earliest.
The State BJP, in a release issued by its Media Cell, today said as a responsible alliance member of DAN it feels that the stability of the DAN government is every party’s equal moral responsibility.
The party also cautioned that the present internal crisis should not be allowed to escalate into constitutional breakdown. All concerned parties should strive to save the democratic process in the State, it stressed.
The NPF Pughoboto Division has reaffirmed solidarity and support to the NPF party under the leadership of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, secretary general KG Kenye and the NPF-led DAN-III government under the leadership of Chief Minister TR Zeliang and Parliamentary Secretary for Irrigation and Flood Control and Election Y Vikheho Swu.
At an emergency meeting held under the chairmanship of Kughkhu Sheqi, president, NPF Pughoboto Division, at the residence of Toniho Sheqi, secretary, NPF Nagaland on January 6, the Pughoboto Division also strongly endorsed the party’s decision of suspending the seven NPF legislators for their ‘anti-party’ activities, according to a release issued by NPF Pughoboto Division president Kughkhu Sheqi and general secretary Hotoshe Sheqi on Wednesday.
After a local daily (not Eastern Mirror) dragged Speaker Chotisuh Sazo’s name into the present political imbroglio listing him in G Kaito Aye’s camp that appeared in its January 6 issue, PS to the Speaker, Thepuphi Kapuh, today said it is unfortunate that the Speaker’s name has appeared in the list notwithstanding the fact that he occupies a post whereby he has to work with all the elected representatives irrespective of party affiliation.
“He has not gone to any camp nor has he written any support letter to anyone. He will only decide as and when it comes to the floor of the House,” Kapuh clarified.
