Nagaland Governor postpones floor-test for Liezietsu

Nagaland Governor PB Acharya on Tuesday postponed the floor test in view of the Presidential elections on July 17.

Kohima: Nagaland Governor PB Acharya on Tuesday, who had asked Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu to prove his majority on the floor of the assembly by July 15, postponed the floor test in view of the Presidential elections on July 17.

The floor test is postponed till further notice, a Raj Bhavan communique said.

Acharya also issued another notice to former Chief Minister TR Zeliang to submit a writ petition to Speaker Imtiwapang Aier with at least "ten opposition legislators to move the no confidence motion in a house of opposition-less government".

Earlier, in the day, the Governor asked Liezietsu to prove his majority by July 15 in wake of the 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 stating that he commands support of 34 legislators and seven Independent legislators of the assembly," an official communique said.

Political instability has come up when Liezietsu is gearing up for the July 29 by-election from the Northern Angami-I assembly constituency.

Liezietsu was sworn in on February 22 after Zeliang resigned following violent protest by tribal groups who were opposed to his move to hold civic polls with 33 per cent women's reservation.

Zeliang wrote to Acharya on Sunday staking claim to form the new government. The next day, Liezietsu sacked four of his top ministers and ten Parliamentary Secretaries following a demand for his removal.

The rebellion within the legislature party erupted as some members accused Liezietsu of indulging in "nepotism" by appointing his son Khriehu Liezietsu as his advisor with cabinet status and pay.

Khriehu, who had resigned from the Northern Angami-I assembly seat last month to enable his father to enter the assembly in order to continue as Chief Minister, had on Monday declined the appointment.

Liezietsu, who filed his nomination for contesting the July 29 by-election to Northern Angami-I assembly on Tuesday, said "the political crisis is a family issue and they will try to solve the problem with mutual understanding".

He also exuded confidence that the rebel NPF legislators who are camping right now at a resort in Assam's Kaziranga would come return his fold again.

Liezietsu stated that his son Khriehu Liezietsu is the standby to his candidature.

On the other hand, Zeliang said that he is prepared for the floor test.

"I am prepared to get toAthe government through the democratic means for a floor test, so that the unity within the rank and file of the party is firmly secured," he said.

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