Merger of Cong MLAs to NPF leads of opposition-free govt in Nagaland

KOHIMA: Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang today said the merger of eight Congress MLAs into the ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) has led to the formation of an opposition-less government in the state with a desire to strengthen the efforts to find solution to the Naga political problem.

The eight Congress legislators had joined the ruling NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government by voting in favour of Chief Minister T R Zeliang during the February 5 vote of confidence in the state Assembly.

Subsequently, the AICC had suspended them from the party for supporting NPF-led DAN government, which has arch rival BJP as its ally.

However, Zeliang awarded the eight Congress MLAs by inducting them into his ministry and were assigned as Minister, Parliamentary Secretaries and Deputy Speaker.

On September 4 last, the Congress had filed a disqualification petition with the Speaker against them, but all of them joined NPF on November 20.

The Chief Minister, while claiming that the efforts of the NPF party to form an opposition-less government has become a reality, said "this government is the first ever opposition-less government."

The composition of the state Assembly is now NPF-46, BJP-4, one NCP and one JD(U) member and eight Independent MLAs.