Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 15
The dissident camp of the ruling NPF-led DAN coalition met the Governor PB Acharya today at the Raj Bhawan, Kohima. The Kaziranga camper’s trail to the Raj Bhawan was led TR Zeliang and Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio.
MLA Imkong L. Imchen, who was part of the entourage, when contacted said that the 43 MLAs (36 NPF and 7 Independents) reiterated their claim to the Governor to form a new NPF-led coalition government headed by TR Zeliang. Imchen said that the discussion centred on the Governor’s Constitutional position and obligation and the 43 MLAs claim to power.
Asked on the Governor and the NPF’s (Central) call for reconciliation within the party legislators, Imchen replied that the time for reconciliation is over as the numbers are speaking in TR Zeliang’s favour. “All 43 were elected by the people and we make up 43 in a house of 59.”
While stating that it cannot be any clearer, he said that the situation need not be elaborated any further and that democratic precedence be upheld by way of the incumbent Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü “gracefully resigning.”
According to him, the two camps have not yet met in person but “it is obvious that he (Dr. Shürhozelie) is well aware of his position.”
On the CM’s petition challenging the Governor’s directive for ‘Vote of Confidence’ that led to the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court staying the call for floor test till July 17, Imchen said that it is up for adjudication and “we are hopeful the law will take its course.” He further added, “We are of the opinion that it (the CM’s contention) does not hold much water.”
With the regard to the turn of events that resulted in TR Zeliang abdicating the CM’s chair in February, Imchen said, “There is no reason that TR Zeliang as a person should be condemned.”
As per Imchen, the Joint Coordination Committee’s (JCC) demands have been complied. On the otherhand, the JCC has maintained (as on July 11) that the state government while it has constituted a Judicial Inquiry Commission, the Commission is was still to start its inquiry, the government has yet to revoke the November 24, 2016 Assembly Resolution and that the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 be amended suitably in consultation with all “stakeholders.”
