DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 20 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho on Wednesday reiterated their demand for a cabinet berth for a Lotha MLA, after two ministers from the community was dropped from the council of ministers by TR Zeliang.
Lotha Hoho chairman Mhao Humtsoe and general secretary Er Mhondamo Ovung in a press statement said it was not satisfied by the appointment of some Lotha MLAs as Advisors and insisted that a cabinet berth be given to an MLA from the community.
The Lotha Hoho also did not agree with Chief Minister TR Zeliang’s statement that the ministry formation was decided by the elected members and the party and that tribal hoho should not involve themselves when members of the legislative assembly are dropped or expelled from the party.
Contending that the MLAs represent the people and the tribal hohos, it maintained that the Lotha Hoho would not argue if any member is expelled due to anti-party activity. However, it pointed out that the hoho was not arguing for any particular MLA but the lotha representatives as a whole.
The Lotha Hoho also contended that the chief minister cannot compare an MLA with that of a church member. It said a church member or a government servant is on his/her own merit and does not represent anyone. However an elected member represents the electorate and dropping an elected member amount to exclusion of the people whom the MLA represents, it stated.
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