Dr Shurhozelie confident of CM Zeliang's wining of Floor Test, dismisses PR rumors
Source: NEPS *

Kohima, January 10 2015 : President of the Naga People's Front (NPF), Dr Shurhozelie, expressed confidence that if chief minister TR Zeliang was allowed to have "Floor Test" by the governor PB Acharya, they would easily vote out the other dissident group of NPF legislators led by G Kaito Aye.

He also allayed fears that President's Rule would come to Nagaland, saying that such thing would never happen in Nagaland.

Addressing the first press conference here at NPF Central Office Saturday after NPF dissident group led by Kaito openly revolting against the leadership of Zeliang, the NPF chief explained that they had explored all possible means for the dissident NPF legislators to come to party fold but failed.

"So as a last option, we have submitted official proposal to the honorable governor) to summon a special session of Nagaland Legislative Assembly in order to allow 'Floor Test' of TR Zeliang Ministry," he said.

"So the confusions which have been created by the dissident NPF legislators will be answered" .

NPF President Dr Shurhozelie (center) addressing press at NPF Central Office at Kohima on January 10, 2015

When asked the response of the governor to the proposal for summoning special session of Nagaland Legislative Assembly for Zeliang's trial of strength, Dr Shurhozelie exuded confidence that he would apply his mind during such political crisis.

Governor Acharya had long innings in politics, besides having experience of being in-charge of northeast BJP for over 20 years before becoming the governor of Nagaland, he pointed out adding that he would apply his "wisdom" on this current political crisis in Nagaland.

He also dismissed apprehensions doing the round that the President's Rule would be imposed, allaying fear that such thing would never happen in Nagaland.

Asked whether he had any hope that TR Zeliang group would sail through in the event of his moving trial of strength on the Floor, Dr Shurhozelie said they would surely win the "Trial of Strength" because they had the numbers with them.

When asked the head counts given in section of local media wherein Kaito-led NPF legislator had 22 without 4 BJP MLAs while TR had 15 legislators without one JD (U) MLA, the NPF chief dismissed it saying that their camp was having 29 while the other (Kaito group) was only with 19 only.

Dr Shurhozelie explained that Kaito's group taking three BJP MLAs was illegal because they were partner of DAN and he was the Chairman of it.

"If the BJP decided to withdraw from DAN, they should first write to me and CM," he stated and further explained that such official withdrawal to DAN had to be done by their party (BJP) president Dr Chuba Ao, who is the leader of their party." Therefore the three BJP MLAs, Dr TM Lotha, Imtilemba and Mhonlhumo Kikon's camping with the dissident group was illegal and their action would attract even expulsion from their party, the NPF cautioned.

Therefore if these three BJP MLAs come to them, their number would be 29, while the strength of dissident group would reduce to 19, he added.

He also dismissed the appointment of Chief Whip and Spokesperson of the NPF dissident group by Kaito saying that only the president of the party was empowered to appoint such a Chief Whip.

So when chief minister Zeliang moved for Floor Test, all the NPF legislators had to obey directives of Chief Whip appointed by the party president.

"Otherwise, they will face disqualification," he warned.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at nepsonline(at)yahoo(dot)com .