Nagaland political crisis unlikely to end soon as NPF sacks chief minister TR Zeliang

In an abrupt turn of events in the recent political crisis in Nagaland, the ruling Naga People’s Front on Wednesday expelled TR Zeliang from the party as he was taking oath as the chief minister after nearly two weeks of political crisis.[caption id=“attachment_3291272” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang. [/caption] He replaces Shurhozelie Liezietsu as chief minister. In the expulsion order signed by the party’s working president duo Huskha Yepthomi and Apong Pongener it is stated, “Shri TR Zeliang, MLA is expelled from the party with effect from 19th July 2017, for a period of six years.” The expulsion order, stating the reasons for his expulsion alleged, “He tried to destabilise and instigate the leadership of NPF-led DAN government, demanding the resignation of the party Chief Minister and its party president.” It said, “Whereas inspite of an order served to him for restoration of his primary and active membership of NPF on 13th July 2017, he was adamant and has already planned to dismantle the NPF party.” Zeliang despite the expulsion order took oath as the chief minister of Nagaland, but his swearing in is unlikely to end the ongoing political crisis in the state as legal hindrance might arise in front of the NPF MLAs who have been supporting Zeliang. Yitachu a leader and an NPF MLA told Firstpost, “After Zeliang is being expelled from the party, no party MLA should support his chief ministership anymore. They will risk their membership to the party and thus to the Nagaland Assembly if they do.” He also said that continuance of support to Zeliang by any NPF MLA now on will be seen as an anti-party activity on his part. Dissidence against Nagaland former chief minister Liezietsu cropped up after he appointed his son Khriehu Liezietsu as his advisor with cabinet rank and pay. Following that 35 dissident NPF MLAs under the leadership of Zeliang demanded his resignation levelling charges of nepotism and dictatorial rule against him. On 13 July Governor PB Acharya asked the chief minister to prove his majority on the floor after Zeliang claimed of having the support of more than 42 MLAs in his favour. Liezietsu approached the Gauhati High Court on Tuesday but the court dismissed his appeal and the governor directed Speaker Imtiwapang to summon a special session of the Assembly at 9.30 am for the chief minister, who is facing a rebellion from MLAs of his party Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF), to seek a confidence vote. But the chief minister failed to show up in the Assembly to prove his majority and Zeliang was chosen for oath taking. But after Zeliang’s expulsion, the crisis in Nagaland is likely to continue.