Dimapur, July 11 (MExN): NPF MLA Merentoshi Jamir has stated that the recent appointment of Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu as DAN Chairman has only the approval of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, the President of NPF, and lacks legal validity.
“The appointment does not have the express approval of the BJP and Independent MLAs,” he alleged in a press statement, adding the appointment does not pervade beyond NPF and therefore is a “politically and legally infirm exercise.” The MLA reminded that the DAN-III has all the NPF and BJP MLAs and all Independent MLAs.
The statement mentioned that TR Zeliang was proposed by Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu to be Chairman, DAN and unanimously elected to that position by DAN legislators comprising of 48 NPF, 4 BJP and 8 Independent MLAs on February 22, 2017. Stating that he still enjoys the confidence of the DAN legislature parties with majority, Merentoshi said any MLA to replace TR Zeliang must have the approval of majority of NPF, BJP and Independent MLAs in a similar manner.
“The Notification No. Cab/1/2013 dated 10.7.2017 conferring cabinet status on Kuzholuzo is therefore ultra vires the law relating to such appointments. The said Notification is void ab initio since Kuzholuzo does not have the sanction of NPF, BJP and Independent MLAs to be the Chairman of DAN,” the MLA asserted.
The statement further termed it “strange and unfortunate” that the notification does not even invoke the name of the Governor as required under article 166 of the Constitution of India. “The MLAs and public may therefore ignore this notification as rubbish produced by a beleaguered Chief Minister and as lacking legal validity.”
Only TR Zeliang, Merentoshi reiterated, has the distinction of having the approval of all NPF, BJP and Independent MLAs and he continues as DAN Chairman from February 22, 2017 with Cabinet status. His appointment is revocable only by all NPF, BJP and Independent MLAs and not by Dr. Shürhozelie, who has the support of only 10 MLAs, he added.
On the other hand, the statement criticized Dr. Shürhozelie, “who claims to be a Christian to the core,” for choosing a Sunday (July 9) to dispossess his own party MLAs of their portfolios as Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Advisors and Chairmen. “He even went to the extent of withdrawing their vehicles, security and official bungalows thereby displaying his sense of vengeance, not a forte of a Christian,” it was stated.
NPF responds to Merentoshi Jamir
Kohima, July 11 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) today expressed it is deeply concerned with the events that have transpired in the last few days, and the “harsh and unpalatable” language used in press releases.
In response to MLA Merentoshi Jamir’s statement on the appointment of new DAN Chairman, the NPF through its Media & Press Bureau pointed out that the DAN Chairman, the head of the coalition of political parties, is appointed by the political parties, and not by legislators. Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu was unanimously selected as the DAN Chairman at a combined meeting of the BJP, JD(U), NCP and NPF at State Banquet Hall on July 10, it affirmed.
With regard to the claim that the Governor was not invoked in the appointment letter as required, the NPF said the post of Chairman, DAN Coordination Committee is a political post appointed/ selected by political parties of the DAN. “And the Governor, not being a member of any political party, has nothing to do with this political post.” However, it said, the government’s notification clearly states that “the Governor is pleased to confer upon Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu, Chairman, Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, the rank and status of Cabinet Minister...”
It further stated that to call the notification “rubbish” is “highly derogatory to the highest office in the State, namely, the Raj Bhawan, and could attract penal if desired.”
Regarding Merentoshi’s criticism of the Chief Minister issuing termination order on Sunday, the NPF stated, “Be it a Sunday, day or night, Governments have to take decisions.” Maintaining that once the services of ministers or parliamentary secretaries are terminated, they are no longer entitled to the perks and privileges which go along with the offices they occupied, it added, “it would be in the fitness of things, and it would also hugely enhance their image of decency, if these ‘dispossessed’ legislators voluntarily surrender their official vehicles along with the drivers and security guards instead of threatening the bureaucracy from carrying out official duties.”
Bye-poll: NPF MLAs warned against negative campaigning
Further, pointing out that Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu has filed his nomination papers today for the bye elections scheduled for July 29, the NPF said, persons are barred by law from inducing electors to vote for or against a particular candidate. “The Government is also bound by these laws and as such, during the pendency of the elections and until its conclusion, no action can be taken either through Government processes or through individual acts which may affect fair and independent conduct of the elections,” it added.
Individuals and legislators too, it said, must realize they have to refrain from making statements about the unseating of the present Chief Minister, who himself is the NPF candidate, until conclusion of the election process, since it could influence the outcome of the bye election.
The NPF further cautioned that party MLAs would be liable for disciplinary action to the extent of disqualification as negative campaigning by party MLAs against the party candidate would amount to voluntarily giving up one’s own membership of the NPF party under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.
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