Nagaland minister hits out at Governor for ordering trust vote

Nagaland Minister Yitachu on Wednesday hit out Governor P.B.Acharya for asking Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu to prove his majority, holding that resolving the current turbulence within the ruling NPF on the floor of the assembly is not in accordance with democratic and parliamentary practices.

His statement came a day after the Governor directed Liezietsu to prove his majority by July 15 in wake of demands from within the ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) to step down and the claim submitted by former Chief Minister T.R Zeliang to form the new government, stating that he commands support of 34 legislators and seven Independent legislators in the 60-member assembly, where one seat is vacant.

 

"The present crisis is purely internal party affair. The issue of leadership in the NPF Party is different from the leadership in the government i.e Chief Minister. When it comes to leadership in the party, it has to be decided in the party forum, and the issue cannot be taken to the Governor's office, or in the Assembly," said Yitachu, who is also the government spokesman.

".. If there is a legislature party leadership issue among the four BJP legislators in the state, will the governor summon the House to resolve the BJP legislature party leadership issue?.

"If the answer is 'No', then in that case, no matter what the number of dissident NPF legislators may be, the legislature party leadership issue in the NPF cannot be decided by the Governor's office, or on the floor of the assembly."

Moreover, Yitachu said that if Zeliang claims to have the support of a majority, he should take up the issue with the party first, instead of approaching the Governor.

The rebellion within the legislature party erupted as some members accused Liezietsu of indulging in "nepotism" by appointing his son Khriehu Liezietsu as his advisor with cabinet status and pay. However, Khriehu, who had resigned from the Northern Angami-I assembly seat last month to enable his father to enter the assembly in order to continue as Chief Minister, had on Monday declined the appointment.

Meanwhile Zeliang said that he is prepared for the floor test.

--IANS

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