Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya on Wednesday justified that his decision to dismiss Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu led-DAN ministry was done Constitutionally.
Taking to media persons after the swearing-in of T.R. Zeliang, Acharya said he had given ample time to Dr. Shürhozelie to prove his majority. However, Dr. Shürhozelie denied all opportunity by abstaining from the emergent special session, said Acharya.
He said Dr. Shürhozelie was asked to move for confidence motion since there was no opposition to move for a ‘no confidence motion’. “But, for the first time in the parliamentary history of India, the resolution mover was absent and the house had to be adjourned, which was not acceptable,” the Governor said.
Based on the report received by the NLA Speaker, the Governor said Dr. Shürhozelie failed to attend the emergent Assembly session for the purpose of testing majority of cabinet led by him (Dr. Liezietsu). As per report of the Speaker, 48 MLAs including the Speaker was present in the Assembly. However, Dr. Shürhozelie and 11 others were not present, the report stated.
“Therefore it is clear that Dr. Shürhozelie has failed to obtain Vote of Confidence despite repeated opportunities given for the same… I hereby withdraw my pleasure from chief minister Nagaland and the ministry headed by Dr. Shürhozelie is hereby dismissed with immediate effect,” Acharya stated in his letter to Dr. Shürhozelie
Acharya also wished away the claim that the crisis was purely an NPF’s internal matter, since seven Independent MLAs and four BJP members were in support of Zeliang. “Had it been party affairs, I will not protect,” he said.
Acharya was annoyed with Dr. Shürhozelie for sacking BJP legislator Paiwang Konyak from the cabinet even before the floor test was held. “How can this be party affair and what right has he got to remove the minister if it was a party affair,” Acharya questioned Dr. Shürhozelie
He further maintained that in the Assembly only an elected member could become the legislature party leader. To this, he said Zeliang was in the capacity as both legislature party leader and DAN chairman, while Dr. Shürhozelie was not an elected member and had taken charge temporarily.
On Zeliang’s expulsion from the NPF, Acharya said “for me it’s nothing, it is okay”.
He said “it was time for government, civil society and Nagas to come together in this crucial ‘blue moon’ period. State cannot afford to have a government which totters and has differences.”
Governor also lamented that the NPF Youth wings carried out protests against its elected members contradicting the reconciliation process. When asked why was the NLA session called hurriedly, Acharya said the decision was “absolutely correct” since all the members were in Kohima and there was no reason to delay.
On issue of NPF severing ties with BJP, Acharya said “the matter lies with them to work out.”
Acharya said even though he was not a party man or political, he appealed to all section of people to come together, adding NPF and BJP had been friends for a long time.
Gov welcomes NSCN (K)’s gesture
Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya on Wednesday welcomed the gesture of NSCN (K) that it was ready to come to the negotiating table.
On July 19, NSCN (K) had stated that it was not averse to peace or dialogue, but maintained that it cannot be a party to the ongoing peace processes and dialogues between the government of India and various factions that have “clearly underlined the acceptance of Indian Constitution as the imminent condition for any settlement.”
Talking to media persons on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of chief minister T.R. Zeliang, Acharya said Interlocutor for Naga talks, R.N. Ravi will take note of the positive signal. He also said he would approach Home minister Rajnath Singh.
Acharya said earlier there were issues with the group since late SS Khaplang was a Myanmar Naga. Now that the NSCN (K) leader is from within Nagaland, the dynamics has changed and things look positive, he added.