Congress moves disqualification petition against own seven MLAs

KOHIMA: The opposition Congress in Nagaland moved disqualification petition against seven of its members from the Assembly today for voting in favour of the DAN government during a confidence vote and joining the government in various capacities earlier this year.

The party has eight MLAs in the 60-member Assembly but after they had joined the DAN government, there is no opposition MLA in the Nagaland Assembly.

After being authorised by the high command, the state Congress this afternoon submitted the disqualification petition to Speaker Chotisuh Sazo, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president Kewekhape Therie told PTI.

All the eight Congress MLAs had voted in favour of the leadership of Chief Minister T R Zeliang in the Naga People's Front (NPF)-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government in the February 4 confidence motion. BJP is a constituent of the DAN.

In return, all of them got posts as ministers, advisor, parliamentary secretaries and Deputy Speaker in May. The AICC had then suspended the eight legislators.

The petition has been moved against seven MLAs for attracting anti-defection law and other related rules of the Assembly, Therie said.

They have been charged with violating AICC's direction not to join the Zeliang government as minister or adviser or parliamentary secretary if BJP is a part of the government.

Now, disqualification petition has been moved against seven MLAs -- Tokheho Yepthomi, S I Jamir, C Apok Jamir, Hukavi Zhimomi, Eshak Konyak, Dr Imtiwapang and Khekaho.

Asked why Imtikumzum, the eighth MLA, was left out, Therie said, "Imtikumzuk has been elected as Deputy Speaker and is reportedly immune to the Anti-Defection law."

Nonetheless, he said, the party will seek further legal advice to file disqualification petition against him.

The eight MLAs have betrayed the trust of the people who have voted for them, he said.

"We have done our part by filing the disqualification petition and now it is upto the Speaker to initiate action against them as per law," he said.