On a day of fast-moving political developments, TR Zeliang was on Wednesday sworn in as the new chief minister of Nagaland replacing Shurhozelie liezietsu, who was sacked by Governor P B Acharya. But within hours, the Naga People's Front (NPF) expelled Zeliang for six years for "anti-party activities", indicating the political turmoil was far from over.
The development took place after Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie liezietsu and eleven other legislators of the ruling Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) abstained from the Special session of the Nagaland legislative Assembly which was convened by the Governor around 9.30 am on Wednesday.
While 48 NPF legislators, including former Chief Minister TR Zeliang, attended the Special Session, Shurhozelie and eleven of his loyalist party MlAs did not turn up to prove the majority of his Cabinet.
“According to report received from the Speaker Nagaland legislative Assembly, Shurhozelie did not attend the emergent Assembly Session convened on Wednesday for the purpose of testing majority of Cabinet led by Shurhozelie. 48 MlAs, including Speaker attended the Session. Therefore, it is clear that Shurhozelie has failed to obtain vote of confidence despite repeated opportunities given for the same,” said the order issued by Governor Acharya on Wednesday.
After the dismissal of Shurhozelie as the Chief Minister, Acharya appointed TR Zeliang as the State Chief Minister and his swearing-in ceremony was held at the Raj Bhavan around 3 pm. The Governor said that Zeliang has to prove his majority in the floor of the House on or before July 22.
Zeliang claims to have enjoyed the support of at least 47 MlAs — 36 Naga People’s Front (NPF) MlAs, seven Independents and the four BJP MlAs — in the 60-member House that now has an effective strength of 59, following liezietsu’s son Khriehu liezietsu's resignation, last month.
It may be mentioned here that Shurhozelie became the Chief Minister of Nagaland only in February this year after TR Zeliang had to step down in the wake of a violent protests in the State over the women reservation quota in urban local polls.
Shurhozelie, who is not an MlA, is facing a byelection on July 29 this year from the Northern Angami I seat. The veteran politician, who had been winning the seat, gave way to his son Khriehu last polls in 2012.