Guv appoints TR Zeliang as Chief Minister, to be sworn in at 3 pm today

Guwahati: Nagaland Governor PB Acharya on Wednesday dismissed the government headed by chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu and invited former chief minister TR Zeliang to form new government in the state.

The Governor Acharya in his order said, “According to report received from Nagaland Legislative Assembly chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu did not attend the emergent assembly session convened on July 19 at 9.30 am for the purpose of testing majority of the cabinet led by him. 48 MLAs including speaker attended the session. Therefore, it is obvious that Shurhozelie Liezietsu has failed to obtain vote of confidence despite the repeated opportunity given to him.”

The Governor in his order further said, “By virtue of powers vested in my by Clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution of India, I, PB Acharya, Governor of Nagaland hereby, withdraw my pleasure from chief minister of Nagaland and the council of ministers headed by Shurhozelie Liezietsu is hereby, dismissed with immediate effect.”

Earlier, Shurhozelie Liezietsu and his supporters on Wednesday failed to turn up in the Assembly to face the floor test following which the House was adjourned sine die.

Governor PB Acharya had on Tuesday directed the Speaker Imtiwapang Aieyer to summon an emergent special session of the assembly at 9.30 am for the chief minister, who is facing a rebellion from MLAs of his party Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF), to seek confidence vote.

Former chief minister TR Zeliang, leader of the rebel NPF MLAs, was present in the House along with his followers.

The motion to prove the majority of the chief minister could not be taken up as he was not present and the House was adjourned sine die, Speaker Imtiwapang informed the Governor.

Meanwhile, Governor of Nagaland has invited the leader of the rebel faction and former chief minister TR Zeliang for swearing in at Raj Bhavan, sources in Kohima said.