Governor accepts resignation, asks CM and cabinet to continue till alternative arrangements are made
Morung Express News
Dimapur/Kohima| February 19
Nagaland State Governor, PB Acharya today accepted the resignation of the Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang. Zeliang the 16th Chief Minister of the state was sworn in on May 24, 2014.
The CM tendered his resignation, after he had three days ago appealed for the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) to give him “2-3” days to ensure smooth transition of power.
The CM submitted his resignation to the Governor on Sunday night, which the Governor promptly accepted. A press note from the Governor’s office informed that the latter however asked Zeliang and his council of Ministers to continue “till alternative arrangements are made.”
Earlier in the afternoon, the CM had issued a statement informing his intent to step down from the post of Chief Minister. Zeliang had said: “I have decided to step down from office.”
Emergency
Meeting Today
The CM also called for an emergency meeting of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) Legislature Party at 10:00am on Monday, February 20. The meeting is scheduled to be held at the State Banquet Hall, Kohima, and has been convened in order to select a new consensus leader to succeed the present Chief Minister.
This meeting, it was informed, would be followed by another meeting of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Legislature Party at 11:00am on Monday in the same venue.
The Chief Minister has requested all members to attend the meeting so as to “select a consensus leader to ensure smooth transition of office and to provide the best governance to the people of Nagaland.”
Little chance of PR, Zeliang assures
Earlier in the evening, while briefing legislators at the State Banquet Hall about his trip to Delhi, the CM said that “he had learned in the course of his interactions with various central leaders that there were various reports submitted to the Government of India asking for imposition of President’s Rule in Nagaland.”
“Besides normal and regular reports passed on to the Central Government from the Governor, the Intelligence Bureau, the Assam Rifles and the CRPF, there were reports submitted by the NPCC and a learned retired Supreme Court Judge recommending immediate imposition of central rule by the President of India owing to what they said was a breakdown in the Government machinery. But I pointed out that Naga people cannot afford to have PR when the political talks are going ahead to solve the Naga political issue,” he said. He however assured that “there is little chance of PR being imposed in Nagaland.”
“To arrive at a consensus decision requires time, and so I have accordingly asked for a short period of time to be given,” he stated.
The CM further added, “Central leaders and some groups I met in Delhi told me they have received suggestions that Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio should come back to the State and take over the helms of affairs, but I made it clear to them I cannot decide by myself in Delhi and that I have to consult the NPF legislators, and the alliance partners. However, I have told them that I shall take the suggestion back to Nagaland and let the legislators and the party decide.”
Leadership crisis continues, new names pop up
While the Governor formally accepted the Nagaland Chief Minister’s resignation, the question as to who would succeed him continues to intrigue.
A meeting of legislators to deliberate on the same was scheduled to be held at Hotel Japfu, Kohima on Sunday afternoon. All legislators, including those who had camped in Kaziranga on Saturday were expected to attend. The venue was however moved to the CM’s residence, due to a confrontation between supporters of different camps within the party.
MP to the Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio and NPF President, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu were the frontrunners to succeed Zeliang, with legislators split into two camps. However, several legislators who had joined Rio in Kaziranga on Saturday have reportedly gotten cold feet, and are insisting that Rio’s suspension from the NPF be revoked before they pledge support to him.
Sources meanwhile informed that there are several options being discussed within the party in order to resolve the leadership crisis.
One option suggested is that Rio’s suspension order would be revoked, enabling him to take over as CM, provided that the present cabinet is maintained with the same portfolios. Another option on the table is for neither the Lok Sabha MP nor the NPF President to take over, enabling some other leader to become the CM. To this end, the names of Ministers Nicky Kire and Kiyanelie Pseyie have popped up within party ranks.
CM should be
a sitting MLA
It was also learnt that some legislators are of the opinion that any leader who takes over as Chief Minister should be a sitting MLA. This would discount both the MP as well as the NPF President.
One legislator, who preferred to remain anonymous, informed that during the NPF and DAN legislature party meetings on Monday, if only one name is suggested for the CM’s post, the proposed leader would approach the Governor for formation of government.
However, if more than one name is suggested for the CM’s post, the Governor will most likely call for a floor test. This, it was informed, would prompt the party to issue a whip to its members. While sources informed the NPF President’s name would be nominated, it is reported that the Lok Sabha MP’s supporters could propose the names of either Noke Wangnao or G Kaito, both former Ministers.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the Governor held a meeting with the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang; Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio; NPF President, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and Advisor to Urban Development, SI Jamir on late Sunday night. Details of the meeting however could not be ascertained.
