Nagaland Governor again directs CM to prove majority

Kohima, July 14: Claiming Nagaland Chief Minister ShArhozelie Liezietsu had "lost the support of a majority" of the assembly members, Governor P.B. Acharya on Thursday again asked Liezietsu to prove his majority on or before July 15.

The Nagaland Cabinet had turned down Acharya's directive to summon an emergent assembly session for the floor test.

On Tuesday, Acharya had asked Liezietsu to prove his majority by July 15 in the wake of turbulence within the ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) and demands for him to step down.

"This directive comes following the claim submitted by former Chief Minister T.R Zeliang to form the new government on the ground that he commands the support of 34 legislators as well as seven Independent MLAs in the assembly," said an official communique.

"The state Cabinet was of the firm opinion that there was no justification for an emergency assembly session to discuss or resolve the internal affairs of the ruling NPF," the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary Panjak Kumar said in a joint statement.

Following the Cabinet's decision, Acharya wrote to the Chief Minister, saying his refusal to summon an emergent session "did not seem justified."

Moreover, the Governor said Liezietsu did not refute Zhejiang's claim that he enjoys the support of 44 legislators in a house of 59.

"The question is not that this issue is an internal party matter but whether the Chief Minister enjoys the support of a majority of the members of the house or not," the Governor said.

Pointing that he was of the opinion that the Chief Minister has lost the support of the majority of members, Acharya reiterated the Chief Minister call an emergent session of the Assembly to prove his majority on the House floor as early as possible.

The rebellion within the ruling party erupted as some members accused Liezietsu of indulging in nepotism by appointing his son Khriehu Liezietsu as his adviser with Cabinet status and pay.

Meanwhile, Zeliang said he is prepared for the floor test.

In the 60-member assembly, one seat is vacant. The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland coalition has 47 NPF legislators, four Bharatiya Janata Party members, and eight Independents.