Nagaland chief minister T.R Zeliang said that after the formal merger of eight Congress legislators with NPF and subsequent announcement by the Speaker notifying the merger, the effort to form an ‘opposition-less government’ has become a reality, both de-facto and de-jure .
Addressing press media at his residence this evening, Zeliang said the composition of the 12th NLA , after the merger was 46 NPF, 4 BJP, one JDU and NCP and eight independents.
He said the 46 NPF legislators was the highest ever tally by any regional party in the history of Nagaland and the first to have an opposition-less government.
Zeliang said the merger was delayed due to technical and legal requirements and that the subsequent reconciliation within NPF had also brightened the prospects of his government.
He said the motivating factor for an opposition-less government was towards finding a solution to the Naga political problem, which remained as the top political agenda of DAN collation.
On uniting for solution, Zeliang said the Nagaland Legislators’ Forum instituted a committee comprising of 18 members, from all political parties and representing all 18 tribes. He said the delegation met with the prime minter, home minister and interlocutor after signing of framework agreement on August 3.
On being asked about the division between the Congress party and legislators, he said those who were left behind were free to decide but the elected members decided to merge with the NPF.
On the likely reaction to the merger from NPF candidates who lost the 2013 election to the eight Congress legislators, he said the party rank and file will co-operate and remain disciplined and also abide by the party’s decision. On reshuffling of the ministry Zeliang said it was not yet decided. When asked about the educational qualification issue raised by the Congress, the chief minister said the case was subjudice.
Asked about the next candidate for the 2016 Rajya Sabha election, NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu said the party was yet to decide and would do so only when the time came.
When asked if suspended MLAs could merge with another party, parliamentary secretary Apok Jamir said they had considered all legal and constitutional aspects before merger. Also asked if the eight foresaw NPCC filing a petition in the Supreme Court Apok said “it was the look out of the NPCC”. NPF president Dr.S hurhozelie supplemented the view by stating that as per the interpretation of the Tenth schedule of the Indian constituting by the Speaker under paragraph 42 that merger of 2/3 of legislators was not complete without the original party and for which the three NCP legislators were disqualified.
However, when the case went to the Gauhati High Court, the Speaker’s ruling was set aside by maintaining that a 2/3rd majority of legislators was sufficient for merger and the original party need not be involved.
He said the NCP has taken the matter further to the Supreme Court yet till then the judgment of the Gauhati High Court stood and for which, the merger of congress MLA was 100% legal and NPF accepted them. When pointed out that despite the formation of an all party government , divisions continued among the factions and cease fire with one of the faction abrogated and if such developments would lead to solution? Zeliang replied that the elected members were working out a formula and requested the government of India to give another chance to the NSCN(K) for renewing the cease fire to which the former had agreed.
He said the state government was making all efforts, sending NGO delegation, to bring them back to ceasefire agreement and said the effort will continue. On killing of NSCN(K) by the security forces , Zeliang said home ministry banned organization yet and the state has not put finger on that matter but efforts were on to convince the NSCN(K) to return to ceasefire.
NPF president said the DAN government has been a facilitator for so many years and if not publicly, it has also been meeting the underground factions for sharing of minds to come together and hammer out differences and suggest issues for which people should also speak out their mind on what should be included in the agreement.
When asked about the contents of the framework agreement since state government had met NSCN (IM) general secretary Th. Muivah, Zeliang said the Prime Minister, Interlocutor and Muivah conveyed that it was only a framework and the detailed modalities needed to be finalised in consultation with other political groups.
Asked if he agreed that if the “shared Sovereignty”, would be less that Article 371 (A), Zeliang said his government has told Ravi during the consultative meet that the government of India should honor their own constitution which has given special provision to the Naga people and expressed hope that the Article 971 (A) will be honored.
To queries on the withdrawal of disqualification petition NPF president, he said there was no agreement as such but the party wanted to bring reconciliation.
When asked about the educational qualification issue raised by the Congress , the chief minister said the case was subjudice.
Congress-turned NPF legislator, Apok Jamir said the name of Odisha governor Dr. S.C Jamir (who is also his father) should not be dragged into state politics since he is a governor. He was asked whether he and S.I Jamir joining NPF would lower the credibility of Dr. S.C Jamir.
Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang said the statement made by Assam and Nagaland Governor, that had stirred controversy in Assam, was not the view of the state government. He said the Governor’s remark were only learnt through media and would meet him to discuss about it after he (governor) returned. Zeliang said a consultation with IGAR was held and was apprised that the NSCN(K) abrogated the ceasefire agreement that it was a different issue. Secretary general K.G Kenye and others was also present at the press briefing.
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