Morung Express News
Kohima | December 20
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who met several central leaders campaigning to save his government, besides, attending the NEC and NDC meeting, returned home with his morale boosted and said that people are not looking for President Rule or army rule but a democratic government. “Only selfish people are demanding for PR”, Rio said, expressing hope that the Central government or AICC will not take a decision which will antagonize the people at this juncture.
“What we did is right, I am sure the authority in Delhi will understand our position”, Rio said adding that the Congress-led UPA government should not take a wrong political decision. It is unfortunate that the Congress tried to take power through the backdoor, Rio said, asserting that the newly formed NPA was an illegal alliance because it included even NPF MLAs and independents.
Although Rio did not disclose details of his discussion with the central leaders including the Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, and the response he received from the latter, Rio claimed that the action of the Speaker during December 13 no-confidence motion was correct. Rio declared that DAN was still intact, in spite of the newly formed NPA claiming that his government had been reduced to a minority. “All the paper has been send to the Union Home Minister. What we did is 100% in regard to legality and anti-defection law”, Rio said. Rio on his part after getting to the state capital went straight to Raj Bhavan to meet the Governor K Sankaranarayanan. “I went to pay my respect to the Governor. He is a man of experience and integrity”, Rio said. The chief minister also thanked the people of Kohima and NPF workers for their solidarity and warm welcome accorded to him.
Rio also clarified that he actually went to Delhi to attend the NEC and NDC meeting, but since the Congress led NPA were meeting various central leaders to campaign for President’s Rule, he himself met central leaders including Home Minister and apprised them of the DAN government’s position.
Besides, Rio also met several legal luminaries, who in turn spoke and wrote to the President of India, AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister supporting the DAN government. Meanwhile, the 31 NPA members who also went to Delhi to appraise the central leaders of the political development are still campaigning in Delhi. They are likely to return home by December 22-23.
