TR Zeliang sworn-in as 18th Chief Minister of Nagaland

Guwahati/Nagaland: In a dramatic turn of the event, Nagaland Governor P B Acharya on Wednesday administered the oath to T R Zeliang as the new chief minister of the state.

Zeliang was administered oath soon after former chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu failed to turn up in the state assembly to prove his majority, forcing the governor to sack him for violation of his directive.

The governor has asked Zeliang, who claimed to have the support of 47 legislators, to prove his majority by July 22.

Though, the governor has given time till Saturday, sources in the rebel camp said that Zeliang would be proving his majority on the floor of the house by Friday.

Earlier, Nagaland Governor P B Acharya dismissed the government headed by chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu and invited former chief minister T R Zeliang to form new government in the state.

The governor 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 me by Clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution of India, I, Mr P B Acharya, Governor of Nagaland hereby withdraw my pleasure from chief minister of Nagaland and the council of ministers headed by Mr Shurhozelie Liezietsu is hereby dismissed with immediate effect."

The governor had 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 T R 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, the Speaker Imtiwapang informed the Governor.

Chronology leading to political crisis in Nagaland:

• Problem started in January 2017 with civil unrest in the state over the NPF government's — then headed by T R Zeliang — move to hold civic polls with 33 percent reservation for women
• The state saw violent protests on its streets from tribal communities, from January 31 onwards and three civilians were killed in a police firing
• The protest gained such vehemence that the state secretariat remained closed for 18 days and Zeliang had to finally relent and vacate his post on February 19
• The ruling NPF's MLAs elected Shurhozelie Liezietsu as a non-MLA chief minister and new leader of the legislative party on February 22
• The political crisis resurfaced on July 8, with a majority of NPF legislators gunning for the ouster of Liezietsu, and Mr Zeliang staking his claim to form the government
• 41 legislators shifted to a resort in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park