GUWAHATI: Nagaland governor PB Acharya on Tuesday asked chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu to prove his majority on the floor of the House by July 15.
“The governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya, has directed the chief minister of Nagaland, Shurhozelie Liezietsu, to obtain the vote of confidence on the floor of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on or before 15th July,” an official release said.
It added that, “This directive comes following the claim submitted by former chief minister TR Zeliang (on Sunday) to form the new government stating that he commands support of 34 MLAs (of Naga People’s Front) and seven Independents”.
Liezietsu had taken over as the CM on February 22 after his predecessor, Zeliang, was forced to resign in the wake of violent protests staged by tribal groups against the state government’s move to hold civic elections with 33 per cent reservation for women. Liezietsu, who is the chief of NPF but not an elected member of the Assembly, is caught in the number game even as he was gearing up for the July 29 by-elections to Northern Angami-1 Assembly seat. Victory will ensure his continuance as the CM but his immediate challenge will be to win the floor test.
Meanwhile, Zeliang claimed that he had the support of 44 MLAs – 37 of them from NPF and seven Independents. He said 43 MLAs, including him, were camping at a resort “Borgos” in Kaziranga. The 44th MLA, who was sick, was in Nagaland capital Kohima, added Zeliang. He also claimed that he had the backing of all four BJP MLAs in the state.
Incumbent chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu had on Sunday sacked four ministers loyal to Zeliang and the NPF suspended 10 MLAs from the party. Zeliang criticised the CM for giving just seven days’ time to the four ministers sacked to vacate their official quarters, and for withdrawing their official vehicles and security.