NPF dissident group led by G. Kaito Aye along with his colleagues met Governor P.B. Acharya Wednesday evening and staked claim to the formation of a new government.
In a press release, the spokesperson of the rival NPF Legislature Party Imkong Imchen said Kaito was accompanied by Kuzholuzo Neinhu (Azo), CM Chang, Deo Nukhu, Dr. TM Lotha and him.
During the meeting, the dissident group has demanded the immediate dismissal of the “minority government” headed by T.R. Zeliang, who the group claimed to have lost the support and confidence of the majority. The group also demanded T.R. Zeliang immediately step down and pave the way for installation of a popular government in the greater interest of the people of Nagaland.
The Kaito led group also assured the governor that a stable government would be formed besides building a strong relationship with the NDA government at the Centre to strengthen the peace process and bring about accelerated all round development of the state.
The group appealed all sections of the people and the party organization “to be calm, be firm and united” as they had to uphold and respect the mandate of the people.
Appealing the NPF president to release the MLAs who have been “forcefully confined under house arrest conditions” in the Hotel Oriental Grand in Kohima using the state’s police forces, Kaito group termed the action as “completely undemocratic, dictatorial” and said it was a suppression of the rights of the elected members.
“Forceful confinement of the Honorable members is a disrespect of the people’s voice and there are several members who want to strengthen the leadership of Kaito Aye but they are being denied their rights and we appeal to the state’s forces and law enforcing agencies to ensure that the democratic process upheld and the law is not vitiated”, said the press release.
‘Only official NPF party can form govt.’
Correspondent
KOHIMA, JAN 7 (NPN): NPF has claimed that the government could be formed only by the “official” party and not by a group with vested interests. Members from within chief minister T.R. Zeliang’s camp asserted that the DAN as an alliance was formed by political parties and not by elected members and pointed out that BJP was a pre-poll alliance partner of the NPF.
The party pointed out that since there was a sitting chief minister from NPF, decision had to be taken on the floor of the house where other political parties had to move a “no confidence” motion. Those who were supporting T.R. Zeliang group lamented that there were many senior leaders in the rival camp but they “were playing without knowing the rules and democratic norms.”
They disclosed that the members of rival group could be disqualified even if it could muster enough number of legislators. They claimed that independent MLAs, pre-poll alliance partner JD (U) and post-poll alliance NCP were with them and asserted that the “government is there, it would continue and there cannot be any other government”. T.R. Zeliang group asserted that “political rules and norms has to be followed and whoever is leading them (dissidents group) are actually bringing shame to the entire Nagas.” Earlier in the morning, the party president and chief minister also reportedly met the governor.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026