Kohima, Nagaland: TR Zeliang was on July 19 sworn in as Nagaland’s 19th Chief Minister after the state’s governor PB Acharya dismissed Shurhozelie Liezietsu for failing to turn up for a trial of strength in the assembly.
This is 65-year-old Zeliang’s second stint as Chief Minister in a little more than three years. The ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) had chosen in to replace Neiphiu Rio in May 2014 after the latter became the state’s lone Lok Sabha member.
Soon after taking oath of office, Zeliang said he will go for a floor test on July 21. The governor, while naming him CM, had given time till July 22 to prove his majority.
Zeliang had to step down on February 22 after a series of violent protests over his government’s decision to conduct civic polls with 33% quota for women. The NPF made party chairman Shurhozelie, 80, the Chief Minister.
“Most of our MLAs did not want to go to polls under the politically-retired Shurhozelie, who had at the time of becoming CM said he would hold the reins of power only for two-three months. But power got to him and his style of functioning became undemocratic,” Zeliang said before the swearing-in.
Around the same time as Zeliang was made CM, the pro-Shurhozelie members of NPF expelled him from the party for six years. The expulsion order signed by NPF working presidents Huskha Yepthomi and Along Pongener said Zeliang has been ousted for defying the party leadership.
Acharya dismissed the government under Clause (I) of Article 164 of the Constitution after receiving a letter from Assembly Speaker Imtiwapang Aier on Liezietsu’s failure to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly.
“According to a report from the Speaker, Liezietsu did not attend the assembly session convened today at 9.30 a.m. for the purpose of testing majority of the cabinet led by (him),” Acharya said in his order dismissing the Liezietsu government.
“Forty-eight legislators (including Speaker) attended the session. Therefore, it is clear that Liezietsu has failed to obtain the vote of confidence despite repeated opportunities given for the same,” the governor said.
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.
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