Toeing the lines of its Master, Media and Press bureau (M&PB) has ventured out to render yet another “supreme sacrifice” in the Political arena of Nagaland. While M&PB seems to be shedding crocodile tears for its fallen Master backing him through Statements at the drop of a hat, the lack of substance in its response on pertinent issues raised by the Chief Minister’s Office is a clear sign of political redundancy.
M&PB may like to recollect how its Master Dr. SL after repeatedly claiming that he took over as Chief Minister only for a period of two to three months, made his son, Khriehu Liezietsu vacate the 10 Northern 1 Assembly seat when the latter was still the Parliamentary Secretary of Youth Resources and Sports, and in the most autocratic way appointed him as Advisor to the Chief Minister with Cabinet Status. The obvious reason for this infamous development, as the world understands, was a result of the hidden ambition of Dr. SL to cling on to the Chief Minister’s Chair till the 2018 General Elections and beyond. One may recollect how Dr. SL and his Group, defying all logic, termed this as a “supreme sacrifice” for the NPF Party then.
We agree, a Chief Minister cannot appoint himself as Whip of a Political Party nor can a Party President personally authorise a person as Whip of a Political Party. A whip can be appointed under paragraph 2(1) (b) of the Tenth Schedule in accordance with express provisions in the NPF Party Constitution and if, there is no express provision in the NPF Party Constitution, the thumb rule of Democracy which is the decision of the majority must prevail. Leader of the Legislature Party since May, 2014, TR Zeliang was authorised by a majority of 34 NPF MLAs on 4.7.2017, which was further supported by 3 more NPF MLAs, to function as Whip of the NPF Party which was communicated to the Speaker after which, the Commissioner and Secretary of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly notified the appointment of TR Zeliang as Whip of NPF Party vide Notification No. AS-LEG-91/2003, Dated 19th July, 2017.
In the light of the above, the 10 NPF MLAs who were absent from the proceedings of the House on 19.7.2017 and further violated the NPF Whip issued by TR Zeliang, Whip of NPF and Chief Minister on 21.7.2017, are liable to be disqualified by the Speaker. As such, no amount of Statements released in the Public domain will change the course of Law and its implication. We truly agree that the Law is mightier than the pen.
The patience and silence of the CMO against false and derogatory accusations repeatedly raised in the Media by M&PB must not be mistaken for weakness because every provocation adds fuel to the fire and pushes resolution further away. The Chief Minister’s Office has its own responsibility to run the day to day affairs of the State and neither has the time nor will it stoop so low, as to engage in paper-war with Dr. SL’S M&PB.
Issued by:
NPF, Press & Information Cell
