DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): Leader of Opposition in Nagaland I Imkong today said the Election Commission of India has served a show cause notice to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in the office of profit issue. The reply to the notice is returnable by June 7.
Informing of this, Imkong said the Nagaland Congress had already replied to the notice served on him by the Election Commission (EC) earlier this month. Imkong is now waiting for a communication from the EC.
A new development thus appears to have taken place as the EC had sought more information from the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee following their petition against the Chief Minister.
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, led by Imkong and followed by 14 others, had earlier complained that Rio was holding offices of profit as Chairman of the Nagaland Bamboo Mission and the Nagaland Sports Council. Countering to this, DAN legislators had complained to the EC that the office of Leader of Opposition in Nagaland was an office of profit with the argument that it was not exempted from the Nagaland State Legislature Members’ (Removal of Disqualifications) Act, 1964.
The MLAs- Naiba Konyak, Heno, Hewoto, Tarie Zeliang, Hukavi, MC Konyak, Deo Nukhu, Nyemli and Khutovi- had earlier said, “The Office of the Leader of Opposition is an office of profit.”
MLA Huska Sumi had during the time of heated arguments on the issue, said that the dual charge of Sports Council and Bamboo Mission held by Rio was outside the normal portfolio of the Chief Minister who so far holds about 32 departments. Huska had also come to Imkong’s defense then. He had said that no one can disqualify the Opposition Leader, when he is enjoying the absolute confidence of his members.
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