KOHIMA: The Nagaland Assembly Speaker today rejected the appointment of Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu from the Shurhozelie Liezietsu group as the Leader of Naga People’s Front (NPF) NPF Legislature Party in the state assembly.
A letter signed by the Assembly secretary, N Benjamin Newmai addressed to Khuzoluzo Azo Nienu rejected his appointment as Leader of the NPF Legislature Party.
Liezietsu had empowered Azo to function as the NPF Legislature Party leader in the Assembly for floor management till further orders. However, the Assembly secretariat drew the attention of Azo to Rule 3(1) of the Anti-Defection Rules, which states "a legislature party leader is one who is elected by more than one-half of the members of the Legislature Party concerned."
Newmai said there is no record with the Assembly Speaker to prove the fact that Azo have been elected by more than one-half of the members of the NPF Legislature Party at a meeting.
The Secretary in the same letter pointed out the legal flaws in the election of Liezietsu as leader of NPF Legislature Party in February 20 last stating that the NPF President letter empowering Azo as Leader of NPF Legislature Party, has been referred for legal opinion on the question whether the President of NPF, who is a non-MLA could be elected as Leader of NPF Legislature Party.