Kohima, Jan. 8: Twelve dissidents, loyal to G. Kaito Ayeh, today tendered their resignations to Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang. Zeliang has already sacked two ministers and six parliamentary secretaries, including an Independent MLA Thomas Ngullie.
With today’s resignations, 20 MLAs are already out of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) ministry headed by the Naga People’s Front (NPF). Two ministers Noke Wangnao and Bengjongliba Ao along with 10 other parliamentary secretaries and advisers of the departments have resigned.
The dissident camp had said at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief ministerial candidate Ayeh, former chief minister and sitting Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio and Rajya Sabha MP Khekiho Zhimomi will leave for Delhi tomorrow.
Sources, however, did not disclose for what purpose the dissidents of the NPF have been invited to Delhi.
The political affairs committee (PAC) of the Congress which convened a meeting at its chairman K.V. Pusa’s residence said the ongoing political crisis in the state is a grim reminder for the people of Nagaland for what they had done in the last three Assembly elections.
“Elections in the state have become so vexed and corrupt that nothing good can come out of it. The sequence of crises that have plagued the state with successive plan holidays, non-release of salaries to employees and record rate of corruption have paralysed the state and therefore the present political crisis rocking the state is not accidental but out of wilful act made by the citizens of Nagaland,” a statement issued late in evening said.
The PAC said having observed the pathetic performance of the NPF-led DAN government in all respects and knowing the lack of culture and integrity, the so called mandate was given to the NPF for the third successive time.
“Of 60 legislators in the Assembly, the NPF-led DAN with 52 members was expected to give stability, but a jumbo-sized ministry was set up despite deep financial crisis faced by the state. Unfortunately, after two years of sailing the rotten boat, it could not proceed further not because of external interference but for its own internal bickering and discord,” the statement said.
The statement said the ongoing crisis emanating from lack of leadership, lack of discipline, lack of sense of duty and above all selfishness have ultimately crippled every sphere of governance.
It said even if the present crisis calms down after a compromise or through horse-trading or decimation, it would be the same old wine in a new bottle which cannot give better taste.
Under any circumstances, the people of Nagaland will continue to suffer under the regime of the NPF, the statement added.
“The NPF is having so many problems of its own and how will they ever give importance to the problems of the people? In every election and in any crisis, the NPF and its allies have the habit of promising solution to the protracted Naga political issue” the statement said.
