Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang has said that the national BJP never interfered with the party matters of the NPF, as amply made clear by BJP central leaders in Delhi, with whom he was in touch.
Addressing a press conference at his office chamber Monday, the chief minister said that in view of the non-interference by the national BJP, it would have been fair on the part of the Nagaland BJP unit not to have taken sides but maintain neutrality in the present crisis. Chief minister expressed shock that the state BJP president Dr. M. Chuba Ao ignored the directives of the national BJP to withdraw the statement of backing the dissidents and keeping BJP legislators confined in Rio’s Sovima villas along with NPF dissidents. He said the state BJP could have instead, offered help to NPF to resolve the differences in the best interests of the DAN government.
On resurgence of dissidence, he said that during June-July, Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio, began to summon legislators individually to his house to plant the seed of dissent. Zeliang said most of the members were not interested and revealed the matter to him. After members pressed for a joint meeting with NPF, DAN partners and allies, it was resolved to reaffirm confidence on his leadership on August 16, 2014.
By December 2014, the two MPs (Rio and Khekiho), restarted the dissident campaign instead of attending parliament when Rio again talked with NPF legislators individually while Khekiho visited homes of legislators with offers of lucrative portfolios to effect change of leadership. Zeliang said when Christmas was being celebrated, the two MPs in desperation, unveiled their new strategy by calling legislators individually on the pretext of discussing “some important matter.”
“Whoever went to meet them were kept in Rio’s villas at Sovima under wrongful confinement”, Zeliang said adding that even their mobile phones were replaced with new ones. He however said it was yet to be officially verified if some underground groups were used to guard the villas, though it was learnt that security was manned by Rio’s personal security staff and cadres of a faction. He said no visitors are allowed to go in and those confined, barred from going out even to attend important public functions.
In this manner, Zeliang said by January 4, 2015 the number of those confined in the villas rose to 22 after which Kaito was made the leader to form an alternative government. Zeliang said he was pained that the peace and joy of Christmas was dishonoured by the dissident leaders who attempted the second plot on the government headed by him through undemocratic means. He maintained that many of the legislators have been misinformed and hoped they would realise the motive and return to the original NPF fold.
He said, in view of the situation and at the suggestion of other members to remain together, those loyal to NPF were staying in Kohima in order to safeguard themselves from being entrapped by the two MPs. Zeliang said if the dissidents wanted change of leadership, they should have followed a constitutional process of informing the party chief whip and the Speaker, instead of going to the press without the knowledge of the party president and office bearers.
A combative Zeliang said the dissidents have not even moved a No Confidence motion against him. He said he was ready for a floor test anytime as it was the only option to resolve the matter which he had also conveyed to the Governor. The chief minister said though the dissident claim they had 22 legislators, the official and legal position of the house remain unchanged. Zeliang asserted that he still enjoyed majority support of 52 members in a house of 60, since no party legislature had officially informed the Speaker or Governor about withdrawal of support to his government.
The chief minister said the dissidents have no legal claim as they have not caused a split in the NPF legislature and NPF party to form a separate group. He said even if the dissidents decided to form a separate group, they will have to be first recognised as a separate group by the speaker before their voices can be legally and constitutionally heard.
On the previous Kaziranga camp episode during May 2014, Zeliang said it was different than the present scenario. He recalled that after Rio decided to go to Delhi, a core committee including the party president was formed to select the next leader. Zeliang said the committee met each NPF member individually to choose between himself, Noke and Kaito wherein 22 MLAs supported him to be the next leader. However, he said Rio later called the members individually and asked them to withdraw their signatures. He said he was also informed that Rio had also asked his brother Zheleo Rio to withdraw his signature. However he said the then parliamentary affairs minister and party president had already conveyed the result of the poll after which Rio agreed for electing him as the next leader.
Zeliang said the lone BJP MLA Paiwang was also under pressure to withdraw his signature but stood firm to side with the majority. It was under such circumstances, that his supporters decided to camp at Kaziranga which was done with the knowledge of the NPF party and every member.
On seeking votes from the Congress, he said it was nothing new since eventually all 60 members of the house will be voting.
Resignation yet to accept: Zeliang also confirmed that the resignation letter from 12 former ministers, legislators etc was received, which were in the same format as the reasons cited were being examined.
Good rapport with central leaders: Chief minister reiterated that he enjoyed cordial relations with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the finance minister, and home minister and that there was no doubt about the same with BJP national leaders.
On the release of funds (backlog from 2003-2004 till today) Zeliang said the PMO had invited him for the release on January 10, but owing to the crisis he could not leave the state. Further, he said some changes were to be made for 2015-16 as the Centre was trying to rescue states facing fiscal difficulties under the 14th Finance Commission but the dissident leaders, having learnt about it, were trying to overthrow the NPF-DAN government headed by him.
(DIPR Adds) Zeliang holds AHoDs meet: Chief minister T.R Zeliang Monday directed that all official functioning requiring the signatures or approval of responsible ministers, parliamentary secretaries and chairmen should be routed through the chief secretary and processed to the chief minister.
He told this at a meeting with the administrative heads of departments (AHoDs) at the conference hall of the civil secretariat in Kohima January 12. According to a DIPR report, he also warned against any back-dated approvals by any departments under the present circumstances.
Pointing out that in a democracy government system, there were the three machineries viz. the legislature, the judiciary and the executive, Zeliang said the present state political instability should not hamper the normal functioning of the judiciary and the executive.
The chief minister, the chief secretary and the principal secretary home expressed concern over the poor attendance at the secretariat office. It was stated that department of home would conduct attendance inspection and disciplinary actions were liable for erring staff.
On being prodded by some officers on the political turmoil, chief minister stated that there was a crisis in the ruling party.
Stating that government comes to power under the Constitution of India and under the party constitutions, he said the Constitution provide systems and procedures in election of the leader for a legislature party.
Zeliang said he decided to move for a ‘confidence motion’ in the Assembly since the dissident members have not moved for a ‘No Confidence Motion’.
He stated that the head-count outside the Legislative Assembly or at the Raj Bhavan was not the appropriate platform.
Clarifying on the accusation that there has been no plan under his government, chief minister pointed out that the entire country has been without a plan, owing to the central government revamping the ‘Planning Commission’ of India.
Due to this, he said the Prime Minister of India has not been awarding any economic package programmes to any state.
The officers were cautioned against being misled by the newspaper reports in their normal official functioning.
Chief secretary also informed the officers that the permanent executive machinery of the government, should function normally despite the prevailing political turbulence.
The meeting, chaired by chief minister and co-chaired by the chief secretary and the principal secretary home, was attended by all the AHoDs, stated the report.
Thursday, February 19, 2026