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�No constitutional provision for Zeliang Govt to continue�

By Correspondent

DIMAPUR, Aug 17 - Dr Sh�rhozelie Liezietsu-led NPF Central headquarters has claimed that there is no constitutional or legal provision for the TR Zeliang Government to continue.

Zeliang, it said, became the Chief Minister of Nagaland without letter of support from the party he belonged to, and also, without letter of support from the legislature party.

A press statement from NPF Central HQ stated that Zeliang, who claims to be the leader of the Legislature Party under Para 3 and 4 of the Tenth Schedule as per the Rules of the Members of Nagaland Assembly (Disqualification on ground of defection) Rules 3, cannot take the shelter of the Rules 3 provisions because Paragraph 3 of the Tenth Schedule which talks about split by one-third of legislators in a party has been omitted by the 91st Amendment of the Constitution.

Stating that Para 4 of the Tenth Schedule talks about disqualification on ground of defection not to apply in case of merger, the statement added he also cannot take the shelter of Rules 3 of the Members of the Nagaland Assembly (Disqualification on ground of defection) Rules 2003 because no merger had taken place.

The party also accused the Governor of infringing upon the Constitution of India by summoning the Assembly when the duly constituted Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister did not recommend it.

The Sh�rhozelie-led NPF further expressed shock that the Governor, as the guardian of the Constitution, is allowing the �unconstitutional� government of TR Zeliang in Nagaland. �Saying that they have enough numbers to run the government is quite contrary to the provisions of the Constitution and the Tenth Schedule,� it added.

Meanwhile, the statement also accused the Speaker of misusing his office.

�The election of Neiphiu Rio as interim President of NPF by NPF Legislature Party is another unconstitutional evidence to legitimise the unconstitutional government,� it stated. It also asserted that the issue now is whether the government of the day is constitutional or unconstitutional. �It is for the citizens of Nagaland to judge. For NPF, the rights of the citizens of Nagaland to be governed as per law and constitution shall remain as our top priority responsibility,� it also said.

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