• Rival NPF groups issue separate Whips
• Rival NPF groups issue separate Whips
• Legislators cautioned with disqualification
DIMAPUR, JULY 20 (MExN): Following the sudden change of power at the helm of Nagaland State, confusion reigned within the state’s dominant party—the NPF—with two rival groups issuing separate whips today, before the NLA session scheduled to be held on July 21 begins.
It would appear that there are two Legislature Parties within the NPF, as the group of legislators backing the present Chief Minister, TR Zeliang and the group backing former CM, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu both issued separate directives to the party’s MLAs.
The TR camp, whose legislature party’s Chief Whip is the Chief Minister himself, directed all NPF MLAs to attend the NLA session on July 21 “with the sole agenda of discussing and voting on the Confidence Motion to be moved by TR Zeliang, the Chief Minister of Nagaland.”
Zeliang’s Whip ordered the party legislators to vote on the above motion without fail, adding that “the confidence motion moved by TR Zeliang, the Chief Minister shall be adopted by voice vote/ballot paper/or any other form of recorded vote by all NPF MLAs.”
“If any no confidence motion is moved against TR Zeliang, the Chief Minister, such a motion shall be rejected by voice vote/ballot paper/or any other form of recorded vote by all NPF MLAs,” it added.
The Whip also cautioned legislators that “failure to comply with the above direction by NPF MLAs…shall entail disqualification under the tenth schedule of the Constitution of India.”
Meanwhile, the Shurhozelie camp issued a Whip of its own, through their Chief Whip, Kiyanilie Peseyie, which stressed that TR Zeliang has been expelled from the NPF and directed that “if any motion is moved by anybody expressing confidence in the government headed by TR Zeliang, all NPF legislators shall and are hereby directed to vote against the motion.”
Similar to the TR Zelaing camp’s Whip, the directive from the former CM’s camp also issued a caution that “failure to comply will invite consequences as provided under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India.”
Adding to this tedious politicking from both groups, the Central Executive Council (CEC) of the NPF which sides with Dr Shurhozelie, held an emergency meeting today and issued a series of resolutions.
The CEC reaffirmed recognition of Kiyanilie Peseyie as the Party Chief Whip in the NLA. In this, the CEC asked the NLA Speaker to take cognizance of the Whip issued by Kiyanilie Peseyie as the sole and legal Whip of the NPF party.
The CEC further asked party legislators to strictly adhere to party principles and ideologies as enshrined in the party Constitution and “though differences have cropped up within the legislature party, for the sake of the unity and cohesion of the party, strive for a via media whereby personal enmity amongst the legislators are forgiven and forgotten in the larger interest of the people and society.”
The CEC then extended support to the decision of the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) and Party President/ Working Presidents in expelling CM TR Zeliang from the party for a period of 6 years; urged the DAC to coordinate with the grassroots functionaries of the party in scrutinizing the activities of the party legislators and take punitive and preventive measures as and when necessary. It further asked party functionaries to convince their respective legislators to “return to the party fold under the leadership of President Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu.”
The CEC then made an appeal to all Churches throughout Naga-inhabited areas to be “extra vigilant in the coming days considering that some of our leaders are being manipulated and enticed by these alien elements with seats of power.” The NPF CEC also urged all national political parties to “stop forthwith their unholy tendency to destabilise regional political party Governments in the region.”
Nagaland BJP issues Whip in TR’s favour
The Nagaland State Unit of the BJP has issued a Whip to its MLAs directing them to attend the NLA session on July 21 and vote in favour of the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister, TR Zeliang. “If a no confidence motion is moved against TR Zeliang, the Chief Minister, such a motion shall be rejected by voice vote/ballot paper/ or any other form of recorded vote by all BJP MLAs,” the directive issued by the party’s Whip Mmhonlumo Kikon stated. It further cautioned that failure to comply with the above direction by the BJP MLAs would entail disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
HC dismisses Shurhozelie’s writ appeal
The Gauhati High Court has dismissed a writ appeal filed by former Nagaland Chief Minister, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu against the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) through its Speaker Secretariat and the present Chief Minister, TR Zeliang. The appeal was filed in the Gauhati division of the HC after the Kohima division had dismissed an earlier petition filed by the former CM. The latest writ appeal objected to the way in which the Nagaland Governor had appointed the present Chief Minister. However, in an order dated July 19, the Gauhati Division of the High Court found the writ appeal to be “devoid of any merit “ and dismissed the same. Meanwhile sources informed that the Dr Shurhozelie camp plans to approach the Supreme Court.
Speaker rejects Azo’s appointment as NPF Legislature Party leader
DIMAPUR, JULY 20 (MExN): The Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) has rejected the appointment of Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu as leader of the NPF Legislature Party. This was informed in a letter to Nienu by the Commissioner and Secretary, Benjamin Newmai. Earlier, the NPF Central Office had issued an authorization letter signed by NPF President Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu empowering Kuzholuzo Nienu to function as leader of the NPF Legislature Party in the assembly for floor management till further orders. Meanwhile, commenting on the Commissioner and Secretary’s letter, the Chief Minister’s Office in a press note said this was a blow to the Shurhozelie group of NPL MLAs.
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