Election Commission summons Rio for Aug 25 hearing
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 21
Even as the Monsoon Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) gets underway, both Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Leader of the Opposition I. Imkong continue to remain under the trial of the Election Commission of India with regard to the Office of Profit controversy. According to highly placed sources in Kohima, the EC has already tendered its opinion on the petition filed by nine MLAs of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN). The DAN MLAs had written to the Governor of Nagaland asking for the disqualification of Leader of Opposition I Imkong from the Nagaland Legislature by referring to Article 192 read with Article 191 of the Constitution of India.
Meanwhile, Raj Bhavan has continued to remain silent over the EC opinion, which has already reached the Governor’s office. Speaking to The Morung Express, Special Secretary to the Governor Pankaj Kumar refused to divulge on the opinion tendered by the EC only adding that the Governor’s notification to this effect will come out in the next few days. “It’s a long order and reasonable time must be given”, Kumar said while also clarifying that the EC opinion was received only on August 17 and not as reported in the media.
It may be mentioned that the DAN MLAs in their petition to the EC had stated that the Leader of Opposition’s office is one of profit as it is not in the exempted category as enumerated in the Nagaland State Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1964.
Closely on the heels of the EC tendering its opinion with regard to Imkong’s case, Nirvachan Sadan has now issued a notice for hearing on the petition filed by I. Imkong and 14 others against Rio wherein the Congress petitioned that the Chief Minister does not come within the exemption as contended by the NPF party and its DAN allies under the Nagaland State Legislative Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1964.
The EC in its notice to Rio, fixed August 25 as the date of the hearing. According to highly placed sources, the Congress had filed a rejoinder to the written statement issued by Rio to the EC and as such, the EC has now fixed a hearing in the matter on August 25.
The Chief Minister has been told to appear in person or/and through a duly appointed lawyer before the EC on the said date.
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