Dr. Shürhozelie adamant that crisis is internal; BJP concurs and cites neutrality; Zeliang ready for it
Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 11 (EMN): In a new development in the prevailing political crisis in the state, Governor PB Acharya has directed Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu to obtain vote of confidence by July 15.
In a letter recommending a floor test which was made available to this newspaper, the Governor told the chief minister Liezietsu of having received three letters from former chief minister TR Zeliang on July 8,9 and 10 that the latter commands support of 37 NPF MLAs and 7 independent MLAs in the state legislative assembly which currently has a strength of 59 MLAs.
“You will agree that the atmosphere of political instability is not good for smooth functioning of State Government in accordance with Constitution of India. Since majority should be tested on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, you may therefore obtain vote of confidence on or before 15th July, 2017,” the Governor stated.
The same letter was also addressed to the NLA speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier “for necessary action” regarding convening of assembly session on or before July 15.
Chief minister Liezietsu while admitting that he has received the letter from the Governor, has insisted that the present crisis was an internal problem.
“I think Governor has no role here. We will solve our own problem by ourselves because this is an internal family problem,” he told reporters after filing his nomination paper at the DC office for the forthcoming by-election.
He said the situation has not reached to a stage where a floor test may be carried out. “Floor test can come only when the opposition raises objections, and we have no opposition now,” he said.
On whether there has been any word from MLAs camping at Kaziranga, he replied in the negative but expressed that they are expected to return soon.
On a query whether he was confident his government will continue till 2018, he said, “Why not?” However, he also went to explain that he was not an ambitious man and if he sees that things are not stable, he would give way any day but for the people and the leaders who were with him, he has to see that any danger is ended before the next assembly election.
On the other hand TR Zeliang has stated through a press note on Tuesday that he is willing to go for a floor test to get the government through democratic means.
"Ultimately, I am prepared to get the government through the democratic means of a floor test, so that unity within the rank and file of the party is firmly secured.
I sincerely hope that Dr. Shurhozelie, the regional satrap, will not dash my hopes and the hopes of the Naga people to rise to the occasion in protecting the NPF party unity, " he stated in the note.
The MLAs supporting TR Zeliang also have already appointed him as the chief whip of the party in the assembly probably to be ready in the event of floor test.
The chief whip in India is usually appointed by the legislature party and not the chief minister and so the present 37 NPF MLAs backing TR Zeliang's have appointed him as the chief whip.
Moreover, the BJP Nagaland through its President Visasolie Lhoungu on Tuesday has declared that the party will maintain neutrality as the present crises is NPF internal issue.
"This is to state that the BJP Nagaland position is to maintain the neutrality as the present political crisis is internal problems of NPF party only. The BJP Nagaland will not be part of any arrangement made by the NPF Party during the period of crises," stated the press statement from the BJP president.
