Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 19 (EMN): Sixty-five years old chairman of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), TR Zeliang was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Nagaland on Wednesday at a swearing-in ceremony held in the Raj Bhavan, Kohima.
Governor PB Acharya administered the oath of office to the new chief minister this afternoon, a few hours after dismissing Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and his ministry.
This is the second time Zeliang will be holding the post of chief minister in the third term of the NPF-led DAN government and the fourth chief minister of the same tenure. He became chief minister for the first time when he succeeded Neiphiu Rio in May 2014, following Rio’s election as MP Lok Sabha.
After almost three years, Zeliang had to step down in February this year, under pressure by tribal organisations after the outbreak of violence subsequent to the state government’s decision to conduct the civic polls with 33% reservation for women.
Five months after he relinquished the chair to his NPF party president Liezietsu, Zeliang led a dissidence amongst legislators with 36 NPF, 7 Independent and 4 BJP on his side in the House of 59, since July 8 last.
Reacting to this new development, the NPF party today issued fresh orders expelling Zeliang from the party for a period of 6 years on charges of being ‘adamant to dismantle the party’. The order, signed by NPF working presidents Huska Yepthomi and Apong Pongener, was issued within minutes of Zeliang being sworn in as the new Chief Minister.
Action taken within constitutional parameters: Acharya
Governor PB Acharya today said he has done everything constitutionally including giving Dr Shürhozelie ‘sufficient time to prove his majority’. At a juncture where the Nagas are close to the peace which is ‘badly required’ and had suffered for it over the years, he observed that the government along with all the sections of the society need to try to come together, and the people cannot afford a tottering government riddled with differences.
“I have appealed to them (MLAs) in the wavelength of Dr. Shürhozelie’s appeal to them to come together……,” Acharya said while interacting with media persons after the swearing in ceremony of the new chief minister.
The Governor said there are many areas that Nagaland is lagging behind others and a strong government is needed to address these issues. He also denied of having rushed to executing rapid orders including dismissing Liezietsu’s ministry and installing Zeliang as the chief minister, stating he had given enough time to the former CM to respond and prove his majority as his initial order was to have a floor test by July 15.
Governor Acharya also pointed out that he would never have interfered, had the present crisis been an internal party matter. He pointed out that with the sacking of BJP legislator Paiwang Konyak as a minister besides 7 independent MLAs and the BJP leaders assuring their support for Zeliang, the matter does not lie within NPF anymore.
Governor PB Acharya has summoned the 18th (emergent) session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly to meet at 9.30 am on July 21 so that the newly sworn-in chief minister TR Zeliang could prove his majority in the House.
Confirming this, Zeliang told reporters that the floor test would be followed by induction of ministers, parliamentary secretaries and advisors.
On his expulsion by the party, he said suspension or expulsion would not affect the membership inside the House. Zeliang asserted that whether he is expelled or suspended by the party, he would still belong to the party as an MLA as per the law, till the present tenure is over. He also confirmed that he and his supporters were not looking to join any other party and that they would remain with NPF. He said party matters will be settled after the process in the government level was completed.
On the recent rebellion led by him, Zeliang maintained that the absolute majority (of MLAs) wanted a change of leadership. He strongly put across that the law should take its own course and allow justice to prevail.
“Democratically, politically and legally, we are on the right side and nothing can go wrong,” Zeliang stated, indicating that within the House, the NPF alone has two thirds majority with 36 MLAs, besides 7 independent and 4 BJP MLAs.
On the circumstances that he had to step down in February last, Zeliang assured that the issue would be discussed with the tribal Hohos and all the organisations. “We will do only what is best for the people, and not confront with the people,” he said.
