Disqualification of 10 NPF MLAs sought

KOHIMA: Nagaland chief minister T Zeliang on Saturday said he has sought the disqualification of 10 rebel Naga Peoples Front (NPF) MLAs from the state assembly who owe allegiance to party supremo and ousted chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu.

In his petition to Assembly Speaker Imtiwapang Aier on Friday, Zeliang said the 10 legislators must be declared disqualified under paragraph 2(1)(b) of the tenth schedule as they absented themselves from the July 19 emergency session of the Assembly, violating a whip of the party.

The 10 NPF legislators — Kiyanilie Peseyie, Y. Vikheho Swu, Chotisuh Sazo,. Kuzholuzo Nienu, Yitachu, C.L. John, Thonwang Konyak, P Longon, R Tohanba and Torechu - failed to turn up on that day.

Noting that 10 NPF legislators were fully aware of the sitting of the House and they were to attend the House invariably on July 19 as proper communication were rendered to them, Zeliang said, “the ten NPF Legislators had acted contrary to the direction issued by him on July 18 as Whip of NPF and as well as for acting contrary to the communication issued by NPF legislator Kiyanilie Peseyie.”

Peseyie had also issed a party whip on July 18 asking the NPF legislators to be present in the House the following day, but the ten NPP legislators had violated the Whip as well as the communication.