Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu on Wednesday failed to turn up to face floor test in Assembly. The House was adjourned sine die.
A special session of the State Assembly had to be convened on Wednesday after the Gauhati High Court on Tuesday dismissed Mr. Liezietsu plea to stay the Governor’s directive to him to seek a trust vote.
Former Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang, leader of the rebel NPF MLAs, was present in the House along with his followers.
The motion to prove the majority of the chief minister could not be taken up as he was not present and the House was adjourned sine die, Speaker Imtiwapang said.
The Speaker said, he will report the proceedings of the House to the Governor.
Efforts to contact legislators of the Liezietsu camp turned futile as they did not take calls.
Governor P.B. Acharya on July 18 directed Speaker Imtiwapang to summon an emergent special session of the State Assembly at 9.30 a.m. for the Chief Minister, who is facing a rebellion from his party MLAs, to seek the confidence vote.
Mr. Acharya on July 11 and July 13 directed Mr. Liezietsu, who is facing rebellion by 43 ruling Naga Peoples Front MLAs led by former Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang demanding change of leadership in the present house of 59, to seek vote of confidence on or before July 15.
Mr. Zeliang, who was forced out of office in February following large scale protests over holding of urban local bodies election with 33% reservation for women, had staked claim to form the government saying he had majority support in the House.
Four BJP legislators and Nagaland BJP president Visasolie Lhoungu on Tuesday called on the Governor and submitted a letter supporting Mr. Zeliang.
BJP is an alliance partner of the NPF and a constituent of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government in the State. The Liezietsu faction, however, has severed ties with BJP.
(With inputs from PTI)
