Nagaland CM: Loyalists now demand Liezietsu step down as NPF chief

Kohima, July 31 (SURYAA): As many as 35 Naga People's Front (NPF) legislators owing allegiance to Nagaland Chief Minister T.R.Zeliang on Monday gave 15 days ultimatum to Shurhozelie Liezietsu to quit as party president for his autocratic style of functioning.

The NPF legislature party, which reviewed the state's political situation after Zeliang was sworn in as Chief Minister for the second time on July 19, blamed Liezietsu, the dismissed Chief Minister, for the "deep divide between the organisation and legislative wing of the NPF for his selfish ends."

Zeliang's loyalists also appointed three-time Chief Minister and lone Nagaland Lok Sabha member Neiphiu Rio as the party's interim President.

"We (36 legislators) have also advised all rank and file of the NPF not to follow any orders of Liezietsu as he has already come under a cloud and is under the process of removal from the office of the president of the NPF," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tokheho Yepthomi.

The members of the legislature party have also asked Chief Minister to inform the Electiion Commission about the factual situation in the NPF.

The Liezietsu-headed NPF had expelled 20 NPF legislators and suspended 10 others, who were involved in toppling his government, from the primary membership of the party for violating the party's constitution.

Zeliang was the first to be expelled from the NPF for six years while taking oath as Chief Minister after Governor P.B.Acharya dismissed Liezietsu for failing to prove majority in the assembly.