Zeliang seeks 'vote of confidence' in Nagaland assembly

In the wake of a rebellion within the ruling Naga People's Front (NPF), Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang today sought a "vote of confidence" in the state Assembly.
Zeliang claimed that he enjoys the support of the majority in the House and in order to settle claims in the appropriate democratic forum, "I wish a vote of confidence on my government in the Legislative Assembly."
He requested the governor to take necessary steps to summon a special session of the Assembly.
"A situation wherein confusion has been created by some member of the NPF legislators who are urging the Chief Minister to step down without any proof of majority in the Legislative Assembly," Zeliang said in a letter submitted to Governor P B Acharya, a copy of which was made available to the media.

"Such a situation is affecting the normal functioning of the government," he said.
Zeliang said that "the present government headed by me as the Chief Minister is a coalition government, and the opinion of the constituent partners on who should lead the coalition is required".

On the other hand, spokesperson of the dissident group Imkong L Imchen informed that its leader G Kaito Aye along with two MPs from the state Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho Zhimomi have left for Delhi to meet national leaders of BJP and discuss about the formation of a new government in the state.
The chief minister faced an open rebellion on January 5 with dissident NPF legislators claiming they had elected a new leader. Following the move, Zeliang sacked two ministers and suspended them along with five other MLAs, from primary membership of NPF for "conspiring to overthrow" the NPF-led DAN government in Nagaland.

More than 20 of 38 NPF dissident legislators, who are demanding change in state leadership, met at Dimapur that day to elect Industries and Commerce Minister Aye as the new leader of the NPF Legislature Party and "empowered him to form a new government".
In a swift action, cracking the whip on dissidents, Zeliang then sacked Aye and Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu, the Roads and Bridges Minister. Aye, along with his colleagues, met the governor last evening and staked claim to form a new 'popular' government in Nagaland. He was accompanied by four other NPF MLAs and one BJP MLA who demanded immediate dismissal of the 'minority' government headed by Zeliang.