Karaibo Chawang
Kohima | December 13
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio led DAN government pulled through the storm of a no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition Congress on the last session of the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly today. 19 opposition members that included 17 Congress and 2 JD (U) legislators voted in favour of the no-confidence motion, while 23 NPF and Independent legislator, Imkong L Imchen, Minister for Education voted against the motion and defeated it.
The Opposition Congress moved the no-confidence motion against the NPF-led DAN government on ground that the law and order has deteriorated in the state, subversion of state machineries, price hike of essentials commodities and failure of political dialogue.
Under the interim order of the Speaker three independent members, P Chuba, Jonshilemba and Khutovi were barred from voting on the motion thereby inviting uproar in the house from the Congress and other members.
In the morning, the Congress got support of only 2 JD (U) and 3 independents members, but later in the evening they were joined by 7 NPF members namely Hukavi, Nkao Lotha, Kipili Sangtam, Heweto, Tarie, Kihoto Hollohon and Kheto, who had tendered their resignation to the Speaker, but which the latter did not accept.
Their abrupt appearance in the evening created more confusion as the Speaker refused to allow their vote to be counted under the anti-defection law.
Tokheho and T. Tali’s votes were also not counted on the ground that they have voted against the party whip. In spite of the Congress claim that the government had been voted out as 31 legislators were in favour of the no-confidence motion, while only 23 were against the motion, the Speaker declared the motion as defeated. According to the Speaker’s verdict 19 (17 Congress and 2 JD (U)) voted for the motion while 23 against the motion.
Earlier, the motion started with the Speaker reading out his interim order under the tenth schedule and rule made there under relating to P Chuba, Jongshilemba and Khutovi in pursuance of a petition for disqualification on ground of defection filed by Dr Shurhozelie and his Direction under Rule 19 of the members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly Rules (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) 2003.
Dr Shurhozelie, later move a petition to the Speaker seeking disqualification of the 9 NPF legislators who voted against the party whip. In protest against the Speaker’s verdict, the opposition members staged a walk out.
After the house was adjourned, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio told the press that he came without any fear as there is the anti-defection law which will prevent his party members from going against him. “What game are they playing in the last hour? This shows they are desperate”, Rio charged his opponent. He reiterated that Congress used armed personnel to threaten some of the legislators to go against his ministry.
Minister for Urban Development and NPF president, Dr Shurhozelie, also said that some of the legislators are against the government because they do not see any future in the forth coming election so they are gambling with their status.
“It will rather solve our problem”, Dr Shurhozelie said, when asked whether it will spoil the poll prospect of NPF party. “I feel sorry because they did not even pay respect to the departed”, Dr Shurhozelie said referring to the pandemonium created by the Opposition, adding that Nagaland legislative assembly has earned its name as the most discipline house in the country. “Some of them will come back to us. But we will not accept all of them”, Rio added.
The Congress meanwhile created pandemonium in the assembly today in protest against the interim order passed by the Speaker, Keiyanilie Peseyie, which had barred the three independent legislators—Khutovi, P Chuba Chang and Jongshilemba from participating in the no confidence motion.
As soon as the house gathered at 9:00 am, 17 Congress legislators along with 2 JD (U) and 3 independents members crowded themselves before the Speaker’s chair and began to shout slogans and chant ‘we shall overcome’, despite of the Speaker’s attempt to clarify on his position.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also stood up from his seat and tried to desist the protestors and let the house proceed, but their plea went unheeded and the uproar continued till the time for the no confidence motion.
The protesting legislators did not observe even the 2 minutes silent prayer held in remembrance of late Arienba Jamir as they continued to chant ‘we shall overcome’, and shouted other slogans like ‘we want justice’.
Rio and Home Minister Thenucho had to reply the starred questions on superannuation issue and ambush of Dr SC Jamir raised by leader of opposition, I Imkong, amidst shouts and chant of ‘we shall overcome’. There was no discussion on any of the issue today.
The Speaker adjourned the house frequently, once for 10 minutes at 9:30 am and reassembled at 9:40, and then for another twenty minutes at 10:10 am and reassembled at 10:30 am to let the protestors calm down before the no confidence motion was carried out.
The 17 Congress, 9 NPF, 2 JD (U) and 3 Independent members demanded for head counts to decide the motion, but since the Speaker refused they staged a walk out in protest against the Speaker’s verdict.
The Speaker’s judgment was that three independent legislators have been consistently voting in favour of the NPF in the house and also attending the legislature party meeting of NPF, therefore, their decision to vote against the government has clearly been switching allegiance to political parties which is totally against the tenth schedule to the Constitution of India.
