Gov dismissal of govt is ‘illegal and unconstitutional’
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 20
Former Nagaland Chief Minister and Naga People’s Front (NPF) President, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu today termed the Governor’s move to dismiss his government as “illegal and unconstitutional” and said that he would not resign as President of the NPF.
Addressing a press conference in Kohima today, the former CM termed the Governor’s reasoning that he was given sufficient time for the floor test as “white lies.”
“It is very unbecoming of office of Governor. He diluted the office of the Governor,” Dr Liezietsu said, adding that the present Governor would provide no justice. “For me, even if my government was dismissed I have no regret because our people are the judges”, he said adding that the people know who is right and who is wrong. “It is for the Nagas to understand the intention behind why he put back his favourite to the chair,” he added.
Stating that the NPF party is intact and that he has 11 MLAs, Dr Liezietsu said: “Let us see in a day or two whether these people (TR Zeliang Group) can stay together. They joined together to destroy me. But let us also see whether they can stay together even for a week. I think they must be quarreling by now. It is very unfortunate to have this kind of leaders among the Nagas.”
Dr Liezietsu felt that the people must on their own “try to bring reasonable and God fearing people to the assembly to serve the state and to serve the people of Nagaland.” “We are not having any bad feeling against anybody because we always play fair. I believe we stand for the truth and truth will win at the end. We are not worried. We take this to be a temporary setback,” he said.
Regarding the NLA session on June 21, Dr Liezietsu said that his MLAs would vote against the confidence motion moved by TR Zeliang. He further declared that he is not going to contest the 2018 election in any case. But if necessary, he said he would continue and conduct the election under his leadership and see to it that a new government is installed.
On being asked about the demands for his resignation, the former CM stated: “If in good faith they feel I should resign I am prepared. But what they are saying is not in good faith. They are saying it in ulterior motive.”
Dr. Liezietsu said they felt that as long as he is president, the TR Zeliang group would find it difficult to make a breakthrough. “But there is no point for me to resign. At my own I can resign. But if anybody wants to force me to resign I will not do that. I will not resign,” he said.
