Principal Correspondent
Kohima, January 21
Chief Minister TR Zeliang while confidently claiming to have the support of 52 members in the 60-member House, today challenged the dissident group led by G. Kaito Aye to come to the Assembly for trial of strength. Addressing a press conference at his residential office here this afternoon, Zeliang expressed confidence that the current incited political quagmire in the State will be lawfully and constitutionally resolved.
“The chronology of events to create ‘dissent’ within the Naga People’s Front (NPF) to remove me as the Chief Minister is a fact known to everyone,” he said.
Expressing dismay over the unscrupulous acts of some misguided NPF leaders, he said that the spiral of lies emanating from the dissident camp has left him dumb-founded.
“I have upheld all principles as a party worker, legislator and defended the office and seat of the Chief Minister of Nagaland with responsibility and dignity,” he claimed.
Contrary to the opinion held by the NPF ‘detractors’ that the issue for a change in leadership is an internal party affair, he said the fact that they sought support from the BJP, a DAN alliance, is tantamount to attempts to destabilize a duly elected government.
He also said that the extent to which “they have gone to set up a parallel structure and even suspended me and four colleagues is indeed a travesty”. He therefore viewed that only a test of confidence on the floor of the State Assembly will resolve the matter.
“It is not for me to direct the Governor’s office on how to act but I can add that I have his confidence and that of the BJP central leadership who have been kept abreast of the developing situation,” he said.
Zeliang expressed hope that the ‘erring’ NPF legislators will see the truth of the situation and be guided by their conscience.
On the claims of ‘dissident group’ that they are not for toppling of the government but for change of leadership within the NPF Party, he alleged that they are playing a double game and trying to confuse the Governor, government and the people of the State.
Zeliang expressed hope that Governor P B Acharya will not succumb to such pressure from the rival camp.
On the disagreement of the dissident group against ‘trial of strength’, he said if they consider it as internal matter of the party, the Governor has nothing to do and the president should be allowed to settle the matter but once the leadership is challenged or no confidence motion is moved the Governor’s intervention is eminent and trial of strength has to be conducted in the Assembly.
“On one hand they are saying it is internal problem of the Party while on other hand they are demanding the Chief Minister to step down… they should set their point very clear, and let the people also know the subject matter very clearly,” T R Zeliang said.
On the Governor delaying to summon the special session of Assembly, he said the former is seeking the legal opinion.
“I carry the mandate of 52 members, so if they want to change, we should go to the floor of the House by moving the no confidence motion but since they did not do so I have moved the confidence motion. The Governor cannot resolve the party’s internal matter, but if they are serious they should go to the Assembly,” he said.
On their Delhi trip during the crisis, Zeliang revealed that he along with NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie and two others had long discussion with BJP leaders. “We asked the BJP High Command whether BJP’s alliance in the State is with NPF”, he said adding that thereafter the BJP leaders has reaffirmed their coalition with NPF.
He said that the BJP central leaders subsequently phoned to State president Dr. M. Chuba Ao to withdraw all support from the ‘dissident group’ and the BJP MLAs have been called to Delhi while also asking them not to return to any camp.
“I have 52 members of the NPF-led DAN partners in the House of 60,” he claimed while expressing that there is no threat for the government unless a ‘no confidence motion’ is moved in the Assembly.
On the allegations the dissident group that Zeliang and his wife have transferred an amount of Rs 78.66 crores in their foreign bank accounts, he said that in keeping with the transparent policy of administration that his government follows, the State Home Department has requested the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to speedily enquire into the allegations of ‘black money’ transfer to overseas accounts and to establish the authenticity of the allegations.
He also asked as to how can the date of processing for deposit of the money is 16.8.2014 while date of clearance is 16.03.2014.
On parallel party functioning (NPF Noke group), he recalled that during NPF general convention held on November 26 at IG Stadium Kohima, the Party Central Executive Council (CEC), Central Office Bearers and all the Party officials were consensus in electing Dr. Shürhozeli as the Party president in presence of the two MPs Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho Zhimomi. They had also raised hands in agreement while also congratulating Shürhozelie.
According to NPF constitution, minimum 30 days notification has been issued for holding the general convention but holding a convention within one or days is not in the constitution of the Party, he said.
The NPF record is set and any member voluntarily giving up the original party will attract Anti-Defection Law and so we are giving time to the members to understand and come back home or face consequences, he said.
Any political party while giving the ticket to anyone takes oath of affirmation to abide by the Party constitution and after being elected another oath is administered to abide by the Constitution of India, he said adding therefore any elected member is bound by the Party and Country’s Constitution.
He also said that the dissident group will not be recognized under the Constitution.
Asked whether he would accommodate the ‘dissident MLAs’ once they are back, he said, “Our door is open, even for the suspended MLAs too... if they come it can be revoked... if they come and apologize their suspension orders can be revoked but it is too early to comment whether to induct or not those legislators, but everything is settled we will issue. But if they continue to stay in Sovima camp and refuse to meet the president and the party leaders there is no way out.”
He also revealed that the NBCC leaders are working on reconciliatory process between the two camps while expressing fear that if this continues it will ultimately bring President’s Rule.
On acceptance of the resignations of some ministers and parliamentary secretaries, he said that the government has recommended to the Governor for acceptance of the two Minister’s resignation (Noke Wangnao and Dr Benjongliba) while the Government has also accepted the resignation of some of the dissident Parliamentary Secretaries.
On the action to be initiated against those not attending the NPF Legislature Party meeting yesterday at State Banquet Hall, he said it is up to the Party to take action, but I cannot force or stop the Party from taking action.
He also asserted that the present government will continue to function and would soon be filling up the vacant posts. “We are confident on the 52 members and we are duly elected government and we are continuing to function,” he quipped.
