Worsening crisis
The crisis within Nagaland's Naga People's Front (NPF) government has further deepened with Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu on Sunday sacking four top Ministers and 10 Parliamentary Secretaries following a demand for his removal. Liezietsu recommended Governor PB Acharya to remove Home Minister Yanthungo Patton, Power Minister Kipili Sangtam, National Highway and Political Affairs Minister G Kaito Aye, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Imkong L Imchen from the Cabinet. The development came a day after his predecessor, TR Zeliang wrote to the Governor, staking claim to form a new government. He claimed he has the support of 33 NPF legislators and seven Independents. Liezietsu, who holds
The development came a day after his predecessor, TR Zeliang wrote to the Governor, staking claim to form a new government. He claimed he has the support of 33 NPF legislators and seven Independents. Liezietsu, who holds charge as the NPF supremo, has also sacked four NPF legislators and six Independent legislators, as Parliamentary Secretaries. The Nagaland government also issued notifications terminating the appointment of Zeliang as Advisor (Finance) and Nuklotoshi as advisor to Chief Minister. Apart from these removals, the NPF Disciplinary Action Committee which met on Saturday also suspended 10 legislators from the party's primary membership. Zeliang along with 41 legislators are currently camping at Borgos resort in the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, to discuss the transition of power. "All 41 of us are intact and we are waiting only for Governor Acharya to invite Zeliang to form the government," claimed Forest and Environment Minister Imkong L Imchen. Governor Acharya, who is in Maharashtra, is expected to return to Nagaland within a few days.
Liezietsu was elected as CM on February 22 this year after Zeliang stepped down in the wake of violent protests by tribal groups, who vehemently opposed his move to hold civic polls with 33 per cent reservation for women. Nagaland is witnessing fresh political turmoil at a time when Liezietsu is gearing up for the July 29 by-election from the Northern Angami-I assembly constituency. The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on Sunday chastised the Nagaland legislators for undermining the essence of democracy and inviting shame and disgrace to the entire Nagaland State with their undisciplined action.
Expressing shame that the Naga legislators are "wandering and loitering like gypsies," forgetting the mandate of the public that exhibits their shallow political will, the JCC convener, Supu Samir, urged the lawmakers to act like responsible leaders instead of behaving like "political prostitutes." He said that after a close scrutiny of their activities, it has become crystal clear that the present Naga legislators are- immature, more conscious of their personal interest and hungry for power and position. The JCC said it has convened a meeting on July 11 at Western Chakhesang Hoho building. The Phom People Council would be invited to the meeting to discuss the issue of payment of compensation to those injured at Longleng on the January 31 ULB related incident.
