Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 13
For the second time in the last three days, the Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya has directed the Nagaland Chief Minister to prove majority on the floor of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The Governor has requested the Nagaland CM to positively prove his majority on the floor of the NLA on or before July 15, a late night release from the PRO to the Governor informed.
The letter assumes significance and further puts the Governor and the Chief Minister in a possible course collision as the Chief Minister and State Cabinet, on July 11, had rejected an earlier Governor’s directive to hold the floor test.
Acharya, in a letter dated July 13 told the Chief Minister that his refusal “to summon an Emergent Session of the Twelfth Nagaland Legislative Assembly did not seem justified.”
The Governor stated that the Chief Minister did not refute the claims of TR Zeliang having the support of 44 MLAs in a house of 59.
“The question was not of ‘this issue’ being an internal party matter of NPF but whether the Chief Minister enjoyed the support of the majority of the members of the House or not,” the letter further maintained.
Prima Facie, the Governor said in the letter, the Chief Minister “appeared” to have had lost the support of the majority of the Members of the House and requested the Chief Minister to “prove his majority on the floor of the House as early as possible.”
In another significant move, Acharya dismissed the notion that the floor test cannot be held in view of the upcoming by-election on July 29 in which the Chief Minister is contesting.
“The Governor was also of the view that as far as the By Election was concerned, it was for only one constituency and therefore by no stretch of imagination it can be presumed that because of this the Council of Ministers cannot recommend the summoning of a special session of the State Assembly.”
Will go by the Constitution if CM refuses floor test
Earlier during the day, Acharya told the New Indian Express from Itanagar that he “will go by the Constitution if the Chief Minister refuses the floor test and decide the future course of action after reaching Kohima.
The Governor “categorically said that any Chief Minister must have a majority to run the government,” the report added. He did not elaborate what course of action he would take if the Chief Minister declines.
Meanwhile, the New Indian Express further reported that “fear of possible horse-trading in the struggle for power” has lead TR Zeliang kept his team closely monitored in Kaziranga, where they are camped.
However, earlier this evening, the NPF Legislature Party along with the NPF Central Party withdrew the suspension order of 10 NPF MLAs and Nagaland MP and former CM, Neiphiu Rio indicating a possible rapprochement.
NBCC appeals legislators to heed to grievances of public
DIMAPUR, JULY 13 (MExN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) today expressed concern at the present imbroglio in the state and called upon legislators to “heed to the welfare and grievances of the public and work towards remedial measures from the present crisis.” “There are more serious matters to attain to than engaging in self defeating and demeaning newspaper wars, attack and counter attack and calling names in the print media,” said the NBCC in a press note. It appealed to the concerned legislators to “exhibit their political maturity by returning to the reasoning table and tackle the differences in an honourable and amicable manner.”
NPF revokes suspension of 10 MLAs & MP
DIMAPUR, JULY 13 (MExN): The NPF Legislature Party and the NPF Central Party had a consultative meeting at the Chief Minister’s residential office on July 13 and decided to withdraw the suspension order of 10 NPF MLAs who were suspended from the party on July 8, 2017. The meeting also revoked the suspension of Nagaland MP and former CM, Neiphiu Rio who was suspended on May 17, 2017. The legislators concerned include TR Zeliang, Y Patton, C Kipili Sangtam, G Kaito Aye, Imkong L Imchen, Shetoyi, Nuklutoshi, Deo Nukhu, Naiba Konyak, Benjongliba Aier and Neiphiu Rio. A press note from the Working President, NPF, Apong Pongener said that the “present crisis is an internal crisis within the NPF party and as such this decision is being made to reiterate the party’s stand to bring about true reconciliation and better judgment for the sake of the party and in the larger interest of the Nagas.”
