Dimapur, July 12 (MExN): The Minister of PWD (R&B), Y Vikheho Swu today said that TR Zeliang was offered the seat of Chief Minister on July 8 without any “pre-condition whatsoever.”
“It was a clear and sincere conversation offering him back the post of Chief Minister,” Vikheho said in a clarification refuting Zeliang’s allegation on July 10 that he was offered the seat with certain conditions.
“The major condition is that some of the MLAs have to be left behind, and a reunion with Dr. Shürhozelie effected,” Zeliang had claimed.
Narrating the chain of events in a clarification to keep the “records clear and clean,”, the Minister said that when the news of a gathering of some legislators at Zeliang's residence was conveyed on July 7 evening, “few of us who were aware of this and were taking preemptive measures to work out an understanding between the Chief Minister and the former Chief Minister rushed to Kohima to take stock of the situation.”
Reaching Kohima midnight, they met Dr. Shürhozelie Liezitsu the next day. The sole intention of meeting the Chief Minister on July 8, Vikheho claimed, was to “resolve the differences that had came up.”
For the party and Naga people, Dr. Shürhozelie wholeheartedly expressed his concern and told us that “he will agree to anything to restore back normalcy in the Government and in the party,” he further maintained.
“The Chief Minister gave us the power to assess the situation, act on it and act with authority,” he added.
Thereafter, based on the “authority given to the members,” they took the decision and requested the Chief Minister to give back the post to Zeliang, which Dr. Shürhozelie agreed, Vikheho said.
“After the collective decision was made, I was asked by the members to speak to TR Zeliang and I spoke to him over my cell phone in the presence of all the members,” he further maintained.
During the call, the Minister conveyed to Zeliang that “Dr. Shürhozelie will resign from the post of Chief Minister and give back the post of Chief Minister; he will not contest in the by-election, in his place Khriehu Liezietsu will file the nomination and contest the 10 Northern Angami I, by-election.”
Zeliang responded that he cannot take the decision alone and will get back after discussing with the members at a meeting at 2:00 pm to discuss the same, Vikheho said.
Around 6:30 PM on July 8, Zeliang called back and said that “a majority of 33 NPF Legislators have signed to stake claim to form a Government through the Governor and declined the offer,” the Minister further said.
“This clarification is being made to preserve and uphold the sanctity and integrity of the NPF Party in general and we as responsible elected members (legislators) in particular,” he maintained adding that, “No further argument is anticipated with regards to this offer.”
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