Opposition stages walk-out of Nagaland assembly session

Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 23

The opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislators today staged a walk-out of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly session during the Question Hour alleging that the ruling PDA government was not following the laid down rules and procedure of the House.

Opposition leader T.R  Zeliang expressed dismay over Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Metsubo Jamir replying to a starred question and supplementary question relating to rural development department during question hour in the 3rd session of the 13th NLA here.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the Minister in-charge of Rural Development informed the House that he has authorised some of his cabinet ministers to reply to some of the questions.

"Any minister can reply to any questions," Rio said and insisted that it has been the practice of the Assembly in the past.

But Zeliang alleged that such measure is a breach of privilege. He also demanded that the Leader of the House should state the rules under which such precedence was set and walked out the House along with opposition MLAs.

However, NLA Deputy Speaker Zhaleo Rio continued with the remaining proceeding of questions hour despite the absence of the opposition MLAs.

Later, addressing the media, Zeliang said “Today’s proceeding of the House was very unbecoming because the minister for urban development was authorized to answer the question raised in the rural development department.”

Minister in-charge of rural development is the Chief Minister, he said adding that the Chief Minister who is the leader of the House should reply or advisor to RD.

He said the Leader of the House can reply to any department question because he is the leader of the House and he is in-charge of every department.

“When they could not produce the rule, under which they have authorized urban development minister to reply to another department, that is why we walked-out to show that this is not the way the deputy speaker should conduct the House,” Zeliang said.

Zeliang also asserted that if such precedence continues, the Opposition will move for adjournment of the House and will not participate in the remaining proceedings of the session.

The Opposition MLAs later joined the day's session after the Question Hour.

Later, Advocate General of Nagaland KN Balgopal made a statement on the floor of House after his advice was sought.

On legality of the authority given by the Leader of the House to other ministers in matters pertaining to his department for the purpose of giving reply, Gopal said that the Leader of the House is well within his right to give such authority.

The whole thing is based on the principle of collective responsibilities of the council of ministers as far as their commitment to the legislative assembly of the state is concerned, he said, adding that this is in term of Article 164 Clause 2 of the Constitution of India.