Dimapur, Oct. 23 (EMN): Following the launch of an indefinite dharna by the NPF's youth wing on Monday morning, demanding that the NLA speaker expedite decisions on various petitions pending in the state assembly, Speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier has clarified the status of the petitions.
In a statement issued this evening, Aier explained that the petition for disposal of ‘Disqualification Petition’ within seven days received on September 25, had been disposed of with the ruling that the stipulation of seven days for disposal time was only for specific cases where an MLA against whom disqualification is sought; and had earlier asked for condonation and not for general petitions, which require procedure of offering reasonable opportunity and time to the parties concerned.
“One of the reasons for the pendency of the disqualification petition is the unfortunate demise of the petitioner himself (Kiyanilie Peseyie), which has literally rendered the proceedings infructous in the legal parlance. However, petitions have been received for impleading Yitachu, MLA, as co-petitioner on 03.10.2017 and also another fresh petition have (sic) been filed by Yitachu, MLA praying for disqualification of 36 MLAs dated 06.10.2017. The said petitions are being examined and orders will be issued in accordance with the provisions of law, particularly the Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on ground of Defection) Rules, 2003 as soon as possible,” the speaker stated.
On the request for recognizing Kuzholuzo Neinu as leader of the NPF Legislature Party dated 31st July, 2017 received on 07.08.2017, Aier said the matter was under reference for legal opinion.
With regard to the letter of NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu appointing Yitachu as chief whip for the legislature party of NPF, the speaker stated that the letter was received on Oct. 16 and was under examination keeping in view the developments in the Election Commission’s dealing with the party issue and the whip case registered as W.P.(C) NO. 138 (K)/ 2017 filed by the petitioners themselves.
Stating that he was ‘equally anxious’ to dispose all pending issues expeditiously and was in no way deliberately delaying the process except for the circumstances stated here, Aier assured that he will perform his duty in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Appealing not to be pressurized for hasty decision by anyone as decisions have serious bearings on the people the MLAs represent, the speaker has requested the NPF youth wing to “kindly call-off the Dharna.”
