Amid open revolt by a large number of ruling NPF legislators for change in leadership, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government today claimed support of 25 of 42 legislators of the Naga People's Front (NPF) for the incumbent Chief Minister T R Zeliang.
The affirmation was made in the crucial meetings of NPF Legislature Party and DAN Legislature Party which was attended by 25 out of the 52 members, DAN spokesperson Yitachu told reporters here.
Altogether 17 DAN legislators were out of station while nine NPF legislators have been suspended restricting their attendance in any of the meetings. One Independent MLA has already been removed from ministry for demanding change in leadership.
Yitachu also reiterated that none of the alliance partners had officially withdrawn their support, so the NPF-led DAN was still intact.
On the Governor not accepting the recommendation of the state cabinet for summoning of special session of Assembly for trial of strength supposed to be held today, Yitachu said, "It is under the consideration of the Governor."
"The Governor must be consulting legal luminaries and Constitutional experts because of which he is taking time," he said.
DAN has 52 members in the 60-strong house with 38 NPF, four BJP, one JD(U) as pre-poll alliance partners while one NCP legislator is a post-poll ally and eight Independent MLAs also support DAN.
Opposition Congress has 8 members in the Assembly.
