Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 28
While the Government of Nagaland was celebrating the launch of the Agri Expo at Dimapur, the Opposition Congress was carefully planning a calculated move. The tentacles of the ‘office of profit’ issue today reached Nagaland with the Congress asking Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to step down. Article 191 of the Constitution says that a person shall be disqualified as a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of the state if he holds any office of profit under the union or state government as specified in the first schedule, other than an office exempted by the Legislature.
Leader of Opposition I Imkong told The Morung Express that since Rio holds the post of Chairman for both the State Sports Council and the Nagaland Bamboo Mission, he is subject to stepping down from Chief Ministership. The Congress stalwart confirmed that their team had met Governor Shyamal Datta and had also faxed a copy of their demand to the Election Commission.
The Nagaland Government now has the option to pass a bill which may be called the Nagaland Legislature (Removal of Disqualification) Bill 2006. Under such a new bill, the posts held by legislators in boards, corporations and other such offices will be not be counted under the category of office of profit. This will prevent the disqualification of any legislator.
The Chief Minister’s other option would be to issue an ordinance as the assembly session has already been adjourned. However an ordinance will be seen as a move to ‘save’ the Chief Minister from being disqualified as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. Nagaland People’s Front President Dr Shürhozelie said he was still studying the matter to get an in-depth analysis on the crux of the matter. The NPF is being careful, he said.
Nagaland Janata Dal (United) President Huska Sumi, giving his take on the issue, said that strictly speaking the move of the Congress was justifiable as it follows the provisions of the law. Citing the instance in Jharkhand where a similar issue had erupted, the veteran politician said they would have to wait for the decision of the Governor in announcing an ordinance.
.jpg)
