FLOOR TEST

Nagaland: Zeliang wins vote of confidence

PTI7_19_2017_000141A TR Zeliang being sworn-in as the new chief minister of Nagaland by Governor P.B. Acharya at a ceremony in Kohima on Wednesday | PTI

Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang wins vote of confidence in state assembly, gets 47 out of 59 votes.

Zeliang got the votes of 36 NPF, 4 BJP and 7 independents, said Speaker Imtiwapang. 

Zeliang, 65, was sworn in as the chief minister of Nagaland for the second time after his predecessor Naga People’s Front (NPF) president, Shurhozelie Liezietsu, was dismissed by governor P.B. Acharya for failing to turn up for a vote of confidence on Wednesday.

The 13-day power struggle within the ruling NPF was triggered by Zeliang who sent a letter to the governor on July 8, staking claim to form the government with the support of 34 (later 37) NPF legislators and 7 independents.

Zeliang proved his majority on Friday. 

Zeliang, the sitting Peren MLA, who is a six-term legislator, was the chief minister from May 24, 2014 tilll February 20, 2017. Shurhozelie had taken over on February 22 after Zeliang was forced to step down following sustained protests against his government’s move to hold urban local body polls with 33 per cent reservation for women.

Zeliang was ousted by the NPF as a chunk of the leadership thought that in view of the state elections next year, the party should not be seen as going against the custom and tradition of the Naga society. The existing customary laws of the Nagas prohibits women from engaging in active politics. Zeliang was someone who wanted to go by the Constitution.

But what has turned the numbers in Zeliang’s favour? The Nagas are extremely piqued that the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) last week called for the dissolution of the state Assembly and imposition of president’s Rule. The latest rebellion is attributed to the alleged nepotism by Shurhozelie who had made his son an advisor to the chief minister with the rank and status of a cabinet minister.

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Topics : #Nagaland

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