Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Dec. 14 (EMN): Against the backdrop of the rapid political drama in the state with the Chief Minister TR Zeliang reconciling with Naga People’s Front (NPF) president and former chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, which was followed by the axing of four cabinet ministers on Dec. 13, lobbying for portfolios are said to be taking place amongst potential MLAs. The dropping of four key players in Zeliang’s ministry: Tokheho Yepthomi (School Education, Parliamentary Affairs), Y Patton (Home), Dr. Neikiesalie Kire (Roads & Bridges) and Neiba Kronu (Environment, Forest and Climate Change), is widely considered as a move to accommodate MLAs from Liezietsu’s group.
The names doing the rounds from Liezietsu's camp to be inducted are P Longon, Yitachu, kuzholuzo Nienu, and Y Vikheho Swu.
While there were rumours that a reshuffle in the ministry was likely to be held on Dec. 14 evening, Zeliang told reporters Thursday that new inductions will be made only after the ongoing two-day Assembly session.
Sources from the Raj Bhavan also confirmed that no swearing-in function for new members to the council of ministers was scheduled for Dec. 15 as the Governor had prior engagements.
Meanwhile, shadows continue to loom over the ‘memorandum of reconciliation’ between Zeliang’s group of NPF legislators and Liezietsu’s as some sources from the latter’s side informed that the party workers were not keen on their MLAs to join the current TR-ministry unless the entire ministry was dissolved and a new one was set up. The same MLAs had been very vocal about their disapproval of the present government to the extent that it was an ‘unconstitutional government’, citing the events that led to its formation after toppling Liezietsu’s government in August last. The NPF had also carried out a series of protests against the ruling government since then.
Also, even after sources claimed that ‘things were alright’ between Zeliang and Liezietsu as of Dec. 13 evening, Liezietsu was conspicuously absent on the first day of the winter session of the NLA on Dec. 14. Yepthomi and Patton were also absent during the session.
There were also talks that beleaguered MP Neiphiu Rio and Liezietsu had met late Dec. 12 evening and discussion about a possible reconciliation between the two political giants was held. However, this could not be confirmed from either side.
