Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 21 (EMN): MLA Küzholüzo Nienu on Friday sought from the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, to submit in black and white the reason for the rejection of Kiyanilie Peseyie as the chief whip of the Naga Peoples’ Front.
Participating in the discussion on the motion of confidence moved by the Chief Minister TR Zeliang today during the NLA 18th Emergent Session of the Twelfth Assembly, Nienu questioned the legitimacy as to why there should be another chief whip when the appointment of Kiyanilie Peseyie still stands.
“On the issue of NPF Chief Whip, we want the Hon’ble Speaker to clarify our doubts,” Nienu said while addressing the august house. He recalled that Kiyanilie Peseyie was appointed as the NPF party chief whip in the NLA on 14th November 2014 under Article V Clause 10 of the Constitution of NPF and wondered as to why the NLA Speaker should entertain a chief whip who has been appointed without proper authorization from the NPF party.
Recalling his experience during the Sovima episode where some of the legislators rebelled against the then sitting government, he said they (Sovima campers) failed in their attempt to topple the government as they couldn’t escape from the rules laid down by the constitution.
“The Sovima campers, with 22 legislators, had majority of the NPF members on our side, but we failed to prove our majority inside the august house,” he added.
“We (Shürhozelie’s camp) have challenged the chief whip of TR Zeliang on 18th July 2017, but till today, no reply has come from the other party,” he informed.
Supporting their stance on the motion of confidence, he informed the house that they will be voting “against the motion” stating that they have been directed to do so by the NPF chief whip Kiyanilie Peseyie.
“How can we vote for TR Zeliang’s leadership if he had been expelled from the party,” he added.
MLA Nienu also regretted that a matter which is an internal crisis within the NPF party legislators has led to a situation such as this, adding that the matter should have been solved amicably among the members.
“In a crisis, we should not only aim at victory alone, but also towards reconciliation,” he said and urged the legislators to exhibit their magnanimity in a situation like this.
“We have wasted enough of our time fighting for leadership and in trying to topple the government. How are we going to approach the people when we failed to perform as leaders,” he pondered.
Making it clear that TR Zeliang has the support of the majority, he clarified that they (Shürhozelie’s camp) had no intention to question the number of the opposite camp.
Also participating in the discussion, MLA P. Longon spoke with regret that the honourable members have brought disgrace and shame to themselves by going out of the procedure.
“Let us wake up from the deep slumber. How can we expect our people to be discipline when we ourselves are not,” he said adding that “the role of the legislators is not only to govern, but also to serve, protect and promote the interest of the people.”
Addressing the august house, MLA N. Thongwang Konyak also strongly recommended Kiyanilie Peseyie as the chief whip, and stated that TR Zeliang as the chief whip will have no effect on the party.
