Dimapur DC admits no-confidence motion against DMC chairperson, convenes May 22 floor test amid escalating coalition tensions
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DIMAPUR — The political crisis within Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) escalated on Thursday after the deputy commissioner (DC) of Dimapur formally admitted the no-confidence motion against Chairperson Hukheto Yepthomi and convened a special meeting for a floor test on May 22.
The notice, issued by DC Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, stated that the motion had been found to be in conformity with the procedural and substantive requirements laid down under the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023.
According to the notice, the no-confidence motion, signed by 12 out of 23 elected members of the municipality, was submitted to the DC’s office on May 11 by two elected members of the DMC.
“The undersigned is satisfied that the motion is procedurally valid and warrants the convening of a special meeting for consideration of the motion,” the notice stated.
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The special meeting of the elected members of DMC has been scheduled for 11 am on May 22 at the DMC office. The notice clarified that ex-officio and nominated members would not participate in the proceedings.
The development comes amid deepening divisions within the ruling coalition in the civic body.
The no-confidence motion was reportedly initiated by 12 elected representatives, including six councillors from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and six from the Naga People’s Front (NPF), led by deputy chairperson Imlinaro Stephanie Ezung.
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Sources from the dissident camp had earlier alleged that BJP councillors were being sidelined in the functioning of the municipality and were not assigned responsibilities despite being coalition partners.
Nagaland BJP president Benjamin Yepthomi had also backed the move, stating that BJP councillors had raised grievances over lack of representation in the administrative functioning of the DMC.
Under the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023, a no-confidence motion against the chairperson can be considered if supported by the required number of elected members, following which the DC is mandated to convene a special meeting for voting on the motion within the stipulated period.