Nagaland political crisis: Governor asks CM Liezietsu to seek trust vote

Kohima: Amid the leadership crisis in the ruling Nagaland People's Front, Governor PB Acharya on Tuesday directed Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu to seek a vote of confidence in the assembly on or before July 15.

The directive came after former chief minister TR Zeliang staked claim to form a new government, a Raj Bhavan release said.

Zeliang, claiming support of 41 of the 59 MLAs in the assembly, had on Sunday written to Acharya for inviting him to form a new NPF-led DAN government at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Liezietsu on Tuesday filed his nomination for contesting the July 29 by-election to the Northern Angami-I Assembly constituency vacated by his son.

If he wins, he would become a full-fledged member of the assembly.

Zeliang had to step down as the chief minister on February 22 following statewide protests against holding of polls to urban local bodies with 33 per cent reservation for women.

In the present assembly, the NPF has 47 members, the BJP four and Independents eight.