Nagaland Governor likely to ask for floor test
The problem for Mr Shurhozelie had started with his appointing his son as an adviser.
Guwahati: A day after former Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang staked claim to forming the government, governor P.B. Acharya is likely to ask chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu to convene the state Assembly for a floor test.
Saying that Mr Acharya, who is also Arunachal Pradesh governor, was in Itanagar, sources at the Kohima Raj Bhavan said a final decision on the developing political crisis would be taken only after the governor’s return to Kohima.
Noting that Mr Acharya would return to Kohima in a day or two, sources said that Mr Zeliang, the leader of the rebel group, had met the governor in Itanagar and handed over a letter of support signed by 47 MLAs. The MLAs who revolted against Mr Shurhozelie are still camping at a resort near Kaziranga National Park. “We are waiting for the governor’s decision. Once he applies his mind on our letter of support given to Mr Zeliang, we will return to Kohima,” said a senior legislator of the party.
In another development, three BJP MLAs — Paiwang Konyak, who is also a minister, T.M. Lotha and Imtilemba Sangtam, who are advisers with Cabinet rank, on Monday called on the chief minister, Mr Shurhozelie, at his official residence in Kohima. While it is not known what transpired at the meeting, sources said the BJP MLAs were asked by the party leadership not to meddle in the ongoing crisis in the Nagaland People’s Front.
Mr Khriehu Liezietsu, son of the Nagaland CM, who was named adviser to the chief minister, on Monday turned down the offer and refused to accept his appointment.
In a letter to his chief minister father, he wrote: “I am writing this letter with reference to the government notification of June 27 appointing me as adviser to the chief minister, While appreciating you for appointing me as an adviser, I convey my regret to you that I will not be able to accept the assignment given to me due to other pressing public engagements.”
The problem for Mr Shurhozelie had started with his appointing his son as an adviser. Mr Khriehu, who was an MLA, had recently resigned from his seat to make way for his father. The byelection for the seat is due on July 29. Sources close to CM told this newspaper that Mr Shurhozelie may not contest the byelection.