Kohima EM Bureau
Kohima, July 12 (EMN): The confusion over the appointment of the Chairman of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland continues ever since TR Zeliang who held since February 22 last abruptly replaced by MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu on July 10 after the former led a rebellion for leadership last week.
Zeliang on Wednesday indirectly clarifying to what the NPF press bureau wrote in reply to MLA Merentoshi regarding the post of DAN chairman and DAN Coordination Committee chairman, said that the chairman of DAN is selected by the ‘elected members’ of DAN coalition partners whereas, the latter is selected by the coalition partners.
Therefore, the former chief minister pointed out, appointing a new DAN chairman without the presence and endorsement of majority of NPF MLAs and Independent MLAs, 44 in total in the House of 59, was out of question.
On the statement that the newly appointed DAN chairman Kuzholuzo Nienu made to the media that Zeliang automatically ceases to hold the position when he was suspended by the NPF as the party was a partner in the alliance, Zeliang said as per the 10th Schedule of the Constitution of India, in the floor of the legislative assembly, suspension does not count and he is still a NPF legislator and the DAN chairman as endorsed by 48 NPF, 4 BJP and 8 Independent MLAs on February 22, 2017. He said he strongly feels that the public should be made to understand the difference.
Meanwhile, alliance partner NCP convenor Vanthungo Odyuo has issued a statement Wednesday evening stating the party’s support for the appointment of Nienu as the new DAN chairman.
He stated that Chief Minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu called a DAN alliance political party meeting at on July 10 wherein ‘various prevailing issues’ were deliberated by the members present.
“The members deliberated the necessity of a new DAN Chairman, Since the Chairman post had been lying vacant consequent upon the suspension of TR Zeliang on 8th July 2017, by its original party, he ceases to be the Chairman DAN automatically once suspended because the Chairman DAN can be occupied by a bonofide member of DAN Political Parties.
“Hence Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, Chief Minister who is also the President of NPF proposed Kuzholuzo Nienu to be the new DAN Chairman to which NCP Nagaland unit concorded to the appointment of Kuzholuzo Nienu as the new DAN Chairman to re-strengthen the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN). The meeting was attended by all DAN Alliance parties, the NPF, BJP,NCP & JD (U). This for clarification to all concern,” the state NCP convener wrote.
On the other hand, BJP president Visasolie Lhoungu when contacted, told Eastern Mirror that he attended the said DAN political parties meeting on July 10 although there was no pre-information about the meeting and his party was invited in the eleventh-hour. He said during the meeting, they were informed of the appointment of a new DAN chairman.
Lhoungu also said the party high command has given clear direction that the party should maintain neutrality and not be part of the ongoing crisis, which was NPF internal issue.
Meanwhile, dismayed over alleged reports doing the rounds in various media, BJP Legislature Party Leader P Paiwang Konyak has clarified that BJP has nothing to do with NPF internal matter.
Konyak in a release today, regretted that since the day one the issue broke out, the BJP party and legislators had decided to remain neutral as they felt the issue was NPF internal matter and that the BJP had “no business” with it.
He assured that the party’s alliance with NPF was still intact, but it has neither sided with any of the camp “be it in Kaziranga or Kohima”.
The BJP Legislature Party Leader appealed to the public not to be confused or misled with the false news doing rounds and also urged the media houses not to propagate any news without confirmation.
