Dissidence rocks DAN Government
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, November 09 2014: It has been quite sometime now that the Nagaland Government headed by TR Zeliang is facing a revolt.

Two senior Ministers, Kaito and Noke are said to be working hard to topple the five-month-old TR Zeliang's Government and occupy the CM's chair.

TR Zeliang became Chief Minister of Nagaland succeeding Neiphiu Rio on May 24 .

Meanwhile, a report in the Guwahati edition of The Telegraph said since the month of May the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) has been facing revolt against the new incumbent.

Despite opposition from some members, Zeliang was chosen to be the next leader.

Minister for Public Health Engineering Department Noke Wangnao and Minister for Industries and Commerce Kaito Ayeh were the forerunners for the top post.

Ayeh's name is still doing the rounds to replace Zeliang.

NPF sources admitted dissidence in the party who want to topple Zeliang but did not cite reasons, the report in The Telegraph stated.

Zeliang did not induct some heavyweights in the Ministry, which created a rift in the party.

The NPF has 38 members in the House of 60, but it has not been smooth sailing for the party as the Centre has downsized the strength of the Ministry to only 12 .

There are 23 Parliamentary Secretaries and several advisers.

Former Home Minister Imkong L Imchen, former Minister for School Education CM Chang, former Minister for Industries and Commerce S Pangnyu Phom, former Minister for Tourism EE Pangteang and former Minister for Youth Resource and Sports Merentoshi R Jamir were not inducted in the Council of Ministers.

According to the newspaper report, the NPF lawmakers had decided to repose confidence in the leadership of Zeliang and that any change of leadership in the future would be through a consensus among the members.

A party insider said the NPF leadership has requested the dissidents to give time to Zeliang to run the Government.

But some members observed that Zeliang has become remote controlled by some of his Cabinet Ministers and his performance till date has not been satisfactory at all, the report added.

Neiphiu Rio also met some members of the NPF in Dimapur recently but the outcome of the meeting could not be obtained.

Sources said the dissidents are waiting for Governor PB Acharya to return from the US.

He is expected to reach the State on November 12 .

If a new Government has to be formed then several of the Cabinet Ministers would not find a place in the Ministry.

Party sources said there was heavy undercurrents and politicking to topple the Government.

But a source said Zeliang might even recommend President's Rule if his Government is toppled, the report added.

The Chief Minister is also facing dire financial crisis and seeking the Centre's intervention to bail out the State.

The State has a deficit of Rs 1,234 crore.

BJP, which has four members in the DAN Government, is closely watching the political development.

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