Former chief minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang, has refuted the claims made by School Education & SCERT and NPF spokesperson, Yitachu that Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu offered him the office of chief minister but he declined the offer.
Zeliang, who issued a statement as leader of NPF Legislature Party and chairman DAN, said that the statement of Yitachu was “a concoction of untruths as well as facts, the latter being in lesser quantity.” He stated that on July 7, 2017, an emissary of the NPF party spoke to him over phone, when he almost reached Kaziranga, requesting him to return to take over the office of the chief minister, which Dr. Shürhozelie was willing to relinquish with conditions.
The major condition, Zeliang said was that some of the MLAs have to be left behind, and a reunion with Dr. Shürhozelie effected. Former chief minister said he considered this condition as a fatal blow to the unity within the NPF that was firmly emerging despite the present crisis. Therefore, Zeliang said he declined the offer. “I indeed had forgone power that was coming to me on a platter for the party’s unity. I never wanted to betray those with whom I made agreements for larger unity within the NPF,” he said.
Zeliang said since his position was for party unity, it was “absolutely wrong” on the part of Yitachu to spread misinformation and canards that he refused to accept the office of the chief minister from Dr. Shürhozelie. “The offer being conditional and intended to drive a wedge between me and Rio, I declined it.” Zeliang said.
Will abide by number game: TR Zeliang who had staked claim to form the new NPF-led DAN government on Tuesday said he had the numerical strength of 44 MLAs now (37 NPF and 7 independent). Zeliang said that in a democracy, he desired to abide by the number game and not succumbed to “cunning and trapping games” aimed at compromising the unity of the party.
Former chief minister also termed as “shameful” that those who appointed Kuzholuzo as DAN chairman did not even realise that he lacked the support of four BJP MLAs and the independent MLAs. He said Azo’s appointment, as pointed out by Merentoshi, was “illegal and foul” in the eyes of law. “I need not elaborate on this,” Zeliang said.
Meanwhile, Zeliang stated with 44 MLAs supporting him, Dr. Shürhozelie, who has been guiding NPF party almost since its inception and had been a fatherly figure, should be able to read the writing on the wall.
Further, Zeliang said gracefulness and gratefulness were qualities that an erudite person like Dr. Shürhozelie should be able to display when confronted with hard facts and reality.
Stating that he facilitated a smooth transition, Zeliang said Dr. Shürhozelie should be able to reciprocate, adding that “I will never accept conditions that divide the NPF party in an election year.”
Zeliang underlined that he was prepared to get the government through the democratic means of a floor test so that unity within the rank and file of the party was firmly secured.
Zeliang expressed hope that Dr. Shürhozelie would not dash his hope and the hopes of the Naga people to rise to the occasion in protecting the NPF party unity.