Ruling coalition in Nagaland survives no-confidence motion

The Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF)-led ruling alliance in Nagaland today survived the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition Congress in the State Assembly.

By Vibou Ganguly

Kohima, Dec 13 : The Nagaland People's Front (NPF)-led ruling alliance in Nagaland today survived the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition Congress in the State Assembly.

While 23 members voted against the motion, only 19 members voted for it, resulting in the no-confidence motion against the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) being defeated.

The MLAs belonging to the NPF, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Imkong Imchen, an Independent, voted against the motion.

In all 19 MLAs, 17 of the Congress and two from the Janata Dal (United) voted for the motion.

Nine other members voted against the Government, but in view of the whip violation, votes were not counted.

The Congress MLAs staged a walk out against the Speaker Kiyaneilie's ruling.

Three MLAs -- P.Chuba, Jongshilemba and Khutovi -- were barred from voting since NPF President Dr.Sh�rhozelie Liezietsu had moved a disqualification petition against them, which was still pending.

Later, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that few members acted under Congress' pressure.

Rio said that the DAN Government enjoys the mandate of the people.

"The latest episode is another reminder to the people of Nagaland that the Congress has completely lost any hope of winning the people's support and in its desperation it has found no other option but to resort to use of force and negative tactics for its survival," Rio said in a statement.

The no-confidence motion is the indication of the changing loyalty and changing political arithmetic in the state.

Election for the 60-member State Assembly is falling due in February 2008. With elections just a couple of months away, the drift in the coalition has started.

The NPF formed the coalition named DAN in February 2003 with the help of the BJP, the Samata Party, the JD (U) and some Independent MLAs.

JD (U) has already walked out of the coalition arrangement.

In the last Assembly elections, out of the 60 seats, NPF won 19, BJP seven, JD (U) three, Samata Party one, National Democratic Movement five, Independent four, while the Congress won 21 seats.

For the first time in Nagaland, BJP opened its account and became the part of the ruling alliance in the State. Nagaland, which came into being in 1963, has had Congress dominated governments for a long time.

With the split in DAN wide open, the main opposition Congress Party is trying to wrest the political control it lost in the last State Assembly election.

Political activity is expected to increase in the State with State Assembly elections scheduled for February next year.

ANI