Dimapur, January 4 (MExN): The imposition of President’s Rule in Nagaland will have no ‘adverse effect’ on the ongoing peace process according to the Nagaland Congress, with the assurance that it (PR) is only for a “short while.” Leader of Opposition I Imkong explained that President’s Rule has been imposed only for a short while and the election process is about to begin. “It will have no bearing on the ongoing peace process,” he said.
Imkong today asserted that the ‘Constitutional propriety’ had been upheld and “justice” delivered by the Government of India. Addressing national and regional media persons at Nagaland House this afternoon, Imkong gushed “We thank the Government of India and Her Excellency, the President of India who is the supreme custodian of the Constitution of India for resuscitating and reviving democracy and the rule of law in Nagaland which was murdered most brutally on December 13th, 2007 wherein the hallowed office of the Speaker was used to assassinate parliamentary democracy. We are elated that justice has been delivered as deserved.”
In Nagaland, the “public are rejoicing” and “celebrating” because Neiphiu Rio’s “illegal Government” has been dismissed, Imkong claimed. Imkong assured all ‘cooperation’ to the Governor of Nagaland to ensure that the security and welfare of the people is protected unlike the “unprincipled, unethical and power-hungry political parties in the DAN coalition.”
Explaining the sequence of events arising out of the series of resignations from the Assembly and withdrawal of support to the DAN Government, Imkong said that it is a unique phenomenon when members of the ruling bench join the Opposition in voting out their Government. Imkong wondered how the Chief Minister had held more than 43 portfolios by himself besides creating an overdraft of more than Rs 435 crores till the time he (Rio) held office.
This prompted some of the ruling MLAs and the DAN alliance partners to go against the “dictatorial and autocratic attitude” of the Chief Minister, Imkong asserted. Although the Centre had been “pouring” in massive funds, Imkong pointed out that development is being concentrated only in certain pockets. “At the end of the day, Rio had to be kicked out due to his mismanagement and misadministration,” the Leader of Opposition told the media.
Asked to comment on the allegations that the Congress had resorted to an unconstitutional move, Imkong replied, “Do you think that it is unconstitutional to demand for dismissal of the Rio Government after it was reduced to a minority on December 13th, 2007 on the Floor of the House?”
Reacting to Rio’s statement that “democracy had been murdered,” Imkong retorted, “Rio is singing our old song… and now he is crying hoarse too late.”
On the future of the Congress in Nagaland? I Imkong said, “We expect to romp home and form the Government on our own. We are confident of an overwhelming majority.”
 MEETING RESOLUTION.JPG)
