KOHIMA, Jan 11 � NPF president Shurhozelie Liezietsu yesterday claimed that the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government led by TR Zeliang enjoys the majority support and backed the Chief Minister�s request to the Governor for summoning a special session of Assembly for a trial of strength.
In the 60-member Nagaland Assembly, Naga People�s Front has a total of 38 members supported by pre-poll alliance partners � four BJP and one JD (U) while one NCP and eight Independent MLAs are also extending outside support to it. Opposition Congress has eight members.
The dissident group is claiming to have 25 legislators, including 22 NPF and three BJP, but alliance partners of NPF-led DAN cannot extend support to the dissident group as they are pre-poll ally of NPF, the NPF president said while addressing a press conference here last evening.
He pooh-poohed the declaration of dissident group led by G Kaito Aye that it has 26 MLAs in the House of 60.
He said that out of 22 NPF dissident legislators, the party has already stripped nine of them, who would not be having any voting rights while the alliance partners and Independent MLAs would support the incumbent Chief Minister.
He further expressed hope that the State Governor would take the right decision by summoning the special session.
Five member of the dissident group and one BJP legislator, led by Kaito Aye had called on the Governor on January 7 and staked claim to form a new government. The Governor is yet to take any decision on the entire issue.
Meanwhile, the Congress today appealed the Nagaland Governor to rescue people from the �clutches of paralysed governance and restore the principles of democracy, hijacked by the internal tussle of the ruling NPF party.�
The ongoing political imbroglio for change of leadership within the ruling Naga People�s Front (NPF) started with over 20 of its MLAs led by their leader G Kaito Aye revolting against the incumbent Chief Minister TR Zeliang on January 5.
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) appealed the Governor �To rescue the people of the State from the clutches of paralysed governance... To end this impasse... that will restore the principles of democracy which has been hijacked by the internal power struggle of the ruling NPF party.� � PTI
