Nagaland CM decries Congress interference

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has decried alleged moves by the central government to impose President's rule in the state. He insisted that such a move would not only be "illegal and unconstitutional" but would amount to "murder of democracy".

"The Congress party does not want to face the people of Nagaland, which goes to poll next month. The Congress wants to disrupt the election. If they really impose President's Rule and dismiss my democratically-elected government, it would be nothing but a murder of democracy,"  Rio said.

Claiming that the Union Cabinet did not meet yesterday but consultations were held among Congress cabinet ministers on the issue, he said ministers from non-Congress UPA parties were not present.

DMK, a prominent UPA constituent, is opposed to the imposition of President's rule in any state, Rio said, adding even the four Left Parties - CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Block - had written letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi against going ahead with any such move.

"Such a move will be illegal and unconstitutional as I have come to power only after being elected democratically and my government has won the trust vote in Nagaland assembly on December 13," Rio said.

"I hope good sense would prevail in Congress. Else it would be a bad signal for the whole country," he added.