(MENAFN- NewsBytes)
Nagaland: HC rejects Liezietsu's plea, floor test to happen today
19 Jul 2017
Thwarting incumbent Nagaland CM Shurhozelie Liezietsu's bid to hold on to power, the Guwahati HC recently dismissed his plea to stay the floor test proposed by Governor P B Acharya.
Acharya had asked the Speaker to convene a special session for today to conduct the floor test after former CM T R Zeliang had staked claim to the Chief Ministership.
Let's know more!
What did the court say?
Fact
Justice L S Jamir noted, "This court is of the opinion that the governor had taken the right decision to ask the petitioner (Liezietsu) to have a vote of confidence to see which out of the two contesting claimants holds majority in the House."
Zeliang's resignation and Liezietsu's ascension
Context
Zeliang had resigned on February 22 after state-wide protests over implementing a 33% reservation for women in the urban local body polls, after which Liezietsu, a non-elected member was appointed to the CM post.
Liezietsu was set to contest for by-elections scheduled for July 24 from the North Angami-I seat recently vacated by his son Khriehu Liezietsu.
Zeliang approaches the governor to form government
MLAs rebel
Nagaland spiralled into political chaos after former CM T R Zeliang approached the Governor P B Acharya to form the government.
While Zeliang claimed to have the backing of 41 out of 59 MLAs, incumbent CM Shurhozelie Liezietsu sacked four cabinet ministers and ten chief secretaries in response.
Liezietsu was to contest from the North Angami-I seat in the upcoming by-elections.
What transpired?
Details
Zeliang asked the Governor in a letter to invite him to form the government, along with a statement signed by 41 MLAs demanding Liezietsu's resignation.
The letter further said, the decision to back Zeliang was made by 37 MLAs at a Naga People's Front (NPF) meeting last month.
In a statement, Liezietsu noted that the rebellion was affecting the normal functioning of the government.
Where do the MLAs stand?
Fact
Out of total 60 seats, Zeliang currently enjoys the support of 34 NPF MLAs and 7 independents. 11 each were further reported to have joined hands with Zeliang and former CM Neiphiu Rio respectively. The rest of the house is currently neutral.
Liezietsu to resign?
Conclusion
While Zeliang currently commands a majority with 33 NPF MLAs and 7 independents, Liezietsu is backed by 12 NPF MLAs and 1 independent in the 59-member house.
Pushed into a corner after the HC-ruling, Liezietsu said that "he has lost all interest", hinting that he may step down ahead of the floor test.
Even if Zeliang returns, instability is likely to continue in Nagaland.
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