Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 10
A day after 41 dissident legislators accused the Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu of ‘nepotism,’ former Nagaland MLA Khriehu Leizietsu today has declined the post of “Advisor to the Chief Minster.”
Khriehu, the Chief Minister’s son, was appointed as the Advisor to the Chief Minister with the rank and status of Cabinet Minister with the portfolio of Music Task Force through a government notification dated June 27, 2017.
“While appreciating you for appointing me as advisor, I convey my regret that I will not be able to accept the assignment given to me due to my other pressing public engagements,” he stated in a note to his father and Chief Minister Dr. Shühozelie.
The move, coming 13 days after the initial offer, is seen as a bid to douse the ‘nepotism’ charge, the latest hurled by 41 dissident legislators on Sunday.
Earlier, on June 30, the Congress in Nagaland (NPCC) had condemned the appointment saying that the “un-mandated father-son duo has taken nepotism in the state to greater heights.”
In defence, the Naga People’s Front, then had categorically stated that the appointment was made “due to the demand of the party functionaries who felt that the sacrifice of vacating his seat in the larger interest of the NPF-led DAN government should not go unappreciated.”
However, the power dynamics has changed since then, with the NPF legislators splitting into two camp on July 8, and the one under the former Chief Minister TR Zeliang, with 41 legislators, staking claim to form the government.
Meanwhile, a press release from the Officiating Cabinet Secretary informed that the Chief Minister has withdrawn the June 27 notification appointing MLA Khriehu Leizietsu as the Advisor to the Chief Minister with “immediate effect” following the “non-acceptance by the appointee concerned.”
