Naga CM Liezietsu is told to seek trust vote by Saturday

Guwahati: Nagaland governor P.B. Acharya on Tuesday directed chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu to obtain a vote of confidence on the floor of the state Assembly on or before July 15.

Mr Acharya, who was in Itanagar, took this decision after former chief minister T.R. Zeliang staked claim to forming a new government in the state. Mr Zeliang, in a letter to Mr Acharya on Monday, claimed that he commands the support of 34 Nagaland People’s Front MLAs and seven Independents in the state Assembly.

Mr Shurhozelie, meanwhile, on Tuesday filed his nomination papers for the 10-Northern Angami I byelection due to be held on July 29. The CM is not a member of the Assembly. His son Khriehu Liezietsu vacated his seat to enable his election to the House.

Though there is speculation in political circles that Mr Shurhozelie may prefer to step down before the vote of confidence, sources in the ruling alliance said the CM would face the confidence vote in the Assembly.

Mr Shurhozelie, who is also NPF president, has called a meeting of the party on Tuesday to discuss strategy.

In another development, the pro-CM camp told the media in Kohima that Mr Shurhozelie had offered to step down as chief minister on July 8 and asked Mr Zeliang to take over, but Mr Zeliang had refused to accept the offer.

Mr Zeliang also admitted Mr Shurhozelie had offered to step down but with the condition of keeping the MLAs loyal to former chief minister and MP Neiphiu Rio away from power.

Mr Zeliang said after he didn’t accept this condition, Mr Shurhozelie made a similar offer to Mr Rio, which was also turned down. Sources in Kohima said Mr Shurhozelie may expel some legislators from the party and ask the governor to dissolve the state Assembly.