Turmoil in Nagaland politics: Zeliang to meet PM, Rajnath Singh and P.B. Acharya in New Delhi

Apart from PM, Zeliang also would likely to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to appraise them of the present political situation of the state.

On the other hand, Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya will reach New Delhi from Maharashtra on Monday.

A top source said that, Zeliang will also meet the Governor in New Delhi.

Zeliang, who blamed Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu for the current political situation in Nagaland said that, the political crisis is caused by the undemocratic style of functioning of Liezietsu in both the party and the government.

"Without consulting with the legislators of Naga People's Front (NPF), Liezietsu had appointed his son (Khriehu Liezietsu) as his advisor and granting him the status of a cabinet minister. Liezietsu misused his power and most the party legislators and other associated members of the government offended for his undemocratic style. Now 40 legislators including 33 MLAs of NPF and 7 Independent MLAs want to form a new government under my leadership," Zeliang said.

On the other hand, afraid that his father would lose the CM post, Nagaland CM Shurhozelie Liezietsu's son Khriehu, who was earlier appointed as the Advisor to the CM has refused to take the cabinet minister rank post.

On Monday, Khriehu wrote a letter addressing to the CM, said that, he will not be able to accept the assignment.

"I am writing this letter with reference to the government notification no CAB-1/2008, dated June 27, 2017, appointing me as advisor to the chief minister. While appreciating you for appointing me as advisor, I convey my regret to you that I will not be able to accept the assignment given to me due to my other pressing public engagements," Khriehu said in his letter.
Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu on Sunday sacked four ministers of his cabinet including state Home minister and 11 parliamentary secretaries following a demand for his removal during the political crisis within the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) deepened.

Chief Minister Liezietsu recommended Nagaland governor P B Acharya to remove Home minister Y Patton, National Highway minister G Kaito Aye, Forest, Environment and Climate Change minister Imkong L Imchen and Power minister C Kipili Sangtam.

Liezietsu also sacked 11 parliamentary secretaries of the Nagaland government including S Chuba Longkumer, Naiba Konyak, B S Nganglang, Deo Nukhu, Shetoyi, Amenba Yaden, Picto Shohe, Y M Yolow, Levi Rengma, Toyang Changkong Chang.

Apart from it, the Nagaland CM had also taken stern action against T R Zeliang as terminated him from the post of Advisor (Finance) in the Nagaland government.

The Nagaland CM had also terminated the appointment of Nuklutoshi as Advisor to the CM.

On the other hand, the Commissioner and Secretary to the Nagaland CM had issued order to withdraw the security escorts of all sacked ministers, parliamentary secretaries and Advisors.

Earlier, former Chief Minister T R Zeliang wrote to the governor and staking claim to form a new government as claiming he has the support of 41 legislators including 34 NPF MLAs (including him) and 7 Independent MLAs.

Zeliang said in his letter sent to the governor that, at a meeting of the legislature party of Naga People’s Front (NPF) held on July 4 at his residence at Dimapur, 34 NPF MLAs (including him) out of 47, supportedhim to continue as the leader of the legislature party of the NPF and also authorized him to stake claim before the governor to form a new NPF led DAN government in Nagaland.

“The MLAs also urged the present Chief Minister, who is a non-MLA, to resign and pave way for me to take over as the Chief Minister,” Zeliang said in the letter.

Zeliang also claimed that, apart from 34 MLAs, 7 independent MLAs also supported him.

Zeliang requested the Nagaland governor to invite him to form a new NPF led DAN government in Nagaland.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)