Zeliang refused Dr. Shurho’s offer: Yitachu

This was disclosed by NPF spokesperson and School Education & SCERT minister, Yitachu on Monday, while addressing media persons here at the State Banquet Hall. Yitachu said Dr. Liezietsu, had made the offer to Zeliang, after considering all aspects in the interest of the Naga people, since the whole issue was about leadership. He said chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie’s offer came after consultations with legislators and party officials. 

He said the message was conveyed to Zeliang through R&B minister, Y. Vikheho Swu over telephone on July 8. However, after waiting for over four hours, Zeliang declined to accept the offer, Yitachu said.

He said the present crisis cropped up on July 7 at a dinner party hosted by Zeliang at his Dimapur residence after the campaign meeting of the NDA presidential nominee at Dimapur.

Yitachu described Dr. Liezietsu as an honest and sincere leader, who kept his word to step down but Zeliang’s refusal was surprising and reasons still unknown.

 He said the fallout of the July 7 rebellion prompted the party and the government to take action against some of the members for trying to destabilize the government and indulging for anti-party activities. 

Yitachu also admitted that there were internal differences within the party since the day T.R. Zeliang was made to step down over ULB election issue.

On the bye-election, Yitachu categorically pointed out that on May 26 the cabinet, DAN legislators and NPF Central Executive Council unanimously endorsed Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu to become an elected member. DAN MLAs also appealed to the ECI to hold the bye-election at the earliest. However, he said the announcement of bye-election led to severe internal problem within the party, since T.R Zeliang had probably felt that by-election should not be held and CM’s seat should be vacated and handed over to him. Yitachu said since Zeliang refused Dr. Shürhozelie’s offer to reclaim the chair, there was therefore no question of leadership issue within the NPF. Yitachu maintained that ministers and parliamentary secretaries in Kohima were attending offices. He also said that since it was an internal party matter, whatever inconveniences caused to the government functioning and general public would be resolved soon. 

When asked about the claims that NPF central had the support of BJP at the Centre, Yitachu said “be it at state or national level, BJP was firm on their alliance with NPF and the MLAs have been discharging their duties.”

On suspension issue, Yitachu said there were certain reasons for initiating action against some. He also said since it was an internal matter, approaching the Governor would not be wise since the Governor’s office had nothing to do with NPF internal issues.

According to reports, Zeliang has gone to Delhi where he is camping to meet Governor P.B. Acharya. Zeliang has staked claim to form the new government with the support of 42 MLAs (35 NPF and 7 Independents) camped at a resort in Kaziranga. 

To queries on Pillai’s case, Yitachu said chief minister was very clear on issues of corruption. “The CM has made it clear that any corruptions at any level will not be tolerated,”said Yitachu.

Meanwhile, Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu, MLA citing an instance of the 2015 Sovima episode, said even though they had majority, they failed to topple the government that time. He also clarified that the appointment of Khriehu Liezietsu as advisor to CM had nothing to do with the present crisis as Khriehu never accepted the appointment.

With the ongoing political crisis casting a shadow of uncertainty over the functioning of the government system as the stalemate would persist till the return of Nagaland Governor P.B.Acharya to the state capital. As per itinerary, the Governor was scheduled to fly to Arunachal Pradesh for some official programme and return to Kohima on July 13.

Azo appointed as DAN chairman:  Advisor State Planning Board, Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu has been appointed as chairman of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) with cabinet status in place of former chief minister, T.R. Zeliang. This was stated in a notification dated July 10, issued by the officiating cabinet secretary, Temjen Toy.

The newly appointed DAN chairman said that the alliance partners NPF, BJP, JD(U) and NCP held a meeting on Monday reaffirming their support to chief minister, Shürhozelie Liezietsu.

Dr. Liezietsu to file nomination today: Setting aside all speculations, chief minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu would be filing his nomination on Tuesday for the 10-Northern Angami I by-election, scheduled to be held on July 29.

Informing this during the press conference, NPF spokesperson Yitachu said keeping in mind the outmost priority of the Naga political issue and also as desired by the people of the state, Dr. Liezietsu will file his nomination on Tuesday.

Azo said there was strong apprehension that NGOs might revolt against Zeliang’s leadership, thereby the step was taken that Dr. Shürhozelie must contest.