TR Zeliang – Page 4 – Manipur News

Congress joined DAN government, while first time in history, Chakhesang was not given Minister

KOHIMA, May 8 (NEPS): Chief Minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang has created history of sort by inducting main Opposition Congress lawmakers into his Council of Ministers fulfilling his repeated assurances

It is also another history that for the first time, a major tribe Chakhesang did not find a Ministerial berth in Zeliang Ministry, for the fact that all the Chakhesang legislators from Phek district are from ruling NPF. The resentment of the Chakhesang legislators could be seen today as they, except, Azo, did not attend today’s “Swearing-in ceremonies.” They were reported to have expressed their displeasure at the manner in which they were neglected this time. In fact, the very vacant Cabinet post was caused after Azo was dropped.

But Chief Minister, when asked by press people, opined that the Speaker post went to Chakhesang and even an Adviser to the Chief Minister with a Cabinet status also went to Chakhasang. The Speaker was often invited in most of the Cabinet Meetings as a special invitee, he pointed out telling that one should not look at tribal line but the people who could deliver for the welfare of the people should also be appointed.

Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya had administered the “oath taking ceremony” to the newly appointed three Ministers at Kohima Raj Bhavan today. Tokheho Yepthomi, leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), was sworn-in as Cabinet Minister, while Parliamentary Secretaries Y Vikheho Swu and Yitachu have also been elevated to Cabinet Ministers.

Congress has eight MLAs and their participation in the NPF-led DAN government in Nagaland was doing the round ever since they voted in favor of “Confidence Motion” moved by Chief Minister TR Zeliang on February 5 last. Since then Zeliang had been telling that he would have an “Opposition-less government” in Nagaland while CLP leader Yepthomi also hinted their participating in the NPF-led DAN government in Nagaland.

BJP, a key ally of the NPF-led DAN government, has been vocal that they would not go together with the Congress explaining that they had different political ideologies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi runs the BJP-led NDA government at the Center where the Congress functions as main Opposition. Even BJP President Amit Shah while visiting Nagaland declared that BJP could never go together with the Congress.

Asked about his stand on taking Opposition Congress in his DAN Ministry, Zeliang said it was a dream of the Naga people that they would now have an Opposition-less government in Nagaland. All political parties had a common agenda incorporated in their “election manifestoes” that was for the solution to the protracted Naga political issue. Therefore, when they all had come together by participating in the government was only strengthening that “common” struggle for solution to their problem, he explained.

Asked whether the BJP, an ally of ruling DAN, would walk away as the Opposition Congress became part of DAN, the Chief Minister said he did not know what they would take their stand following the induction of Congress lawmakers in DAN. But they should reconsider such thinking because they all were with the same political mission and for the welfare of the people of Nagaland, he added.

Nagaland: When will TR Zeliang expand his Ministry ?

By Oken Jeet Sandham When the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued directive to the two NPF groups on March 27 to hold their “General Convention” with their active

By Oken Jeet Sandham

When the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued directive to the two NPF groups on March 27 to hold their “General Convention” with their active members to end their crisis, things have taken place in that direction as both the groups have issued necessary notices for the same. The directive of the ECI has been seen some sort of “peacemaking mission.” It has not given any ruling on who is right or who is wrong. In other words, the ECI directive has clearly indicated that the issue is “internal of the NPF.”

The most interesting part is the ECI directive in its para 10 says, “No record has been placed, nor even vaguely averred, by either of the two groups before the Commission showing that the remedy provided in the Party constitution for determining the dispute out of the present split has been resorted to, exhausted or even attempted. When there is a specific and express remedy provided in the Party constitution itself which is binding on all members of the party, to deal with any specific issue concerning the party, such remedy should be exhausted first before seeking a decision from the Commission. The Commission is thus of the considered view that it would be premature for the Commission to pass orders on the present question of the split at this stage.”
The ECI has directed both NPF groups to follow Article XIV of the NPF Constitution for “getting the dispute resolved with the decision of the Active Members of the party as per the procedure laid down therein.” And the outcome of the meeting being conducted as per Article XIV of the Party Constitution should be submitted to the ECI.

More interestingly, the ECI in its directive in Para 11 says: “The Commission hopes and expects that the internal dispute in the party will be settled amicably within the framework of the Party constitution which would pave way for its harmonious function, not only in its own interest but also in the interest of the State of Nagaland where it is ruling party.”
After carefully observing the aforementioned points of the ECI, its role is a “peacemaking mission” something like “conflict resolution.” Never mind, the people of the northeast has been living in the midst of “all types social and political conflicts due to unresolved political conflicts nearly 70 years.” Nearly 90% of the population in the whole of the northeast were born after India gets her Independence and they have been hearing only “conflicts” and many intellectuals, educationists, political pundits usually love talking about “political conflicts” of the region with New Delhi. Ironically, it goes on without giving any remedies till now.

There are pseudo-intellectuals in our society all along talking with beautifully orchestrated “conflict resolution theories” with blank input of solution. So when the ECI plays more of a “peacemaking” role for resolving the conflict of the NPF groups by wisely referring to the party’s Constitution, it works.
Yet, politics is, no doubt, an art of compromise as often said, “There is no permanent friend or foe in politics.” After all, it is all politics and it surprises none.
However, the question is – “Why did Chief Minister TR Zeliang move for “Confidence Motion” of his government when the “NPF” had “internal crisis?” What happened to his government when 22 NPF dissident MLAs led by G Kaito Aye challenged his leadership?
But Kaito had his own political maneuver by supporting the “Confidence Motion.” Corroborating their move, the veteran lawmaker justified that they would not go against “our DAN government” as their move was purely against the leadership of TR.

The Opposition Congress, which played a very crucial role in rescuing the beleaguered TR from the unprecedented political web, would have hit the jackpot, had the BJP MLAs remained neutral during the “Confidence Motion.” But the BJP High Command played another political maneuver by pulling the rug at an unpredicted time. This is also “politics,” anyway.
Nevertheless, the most interesting part is not the ECI’s directive but Chief Minister TR Zeliang’s fumbling on the expansion of his Ministry. It has been three and half months since 22 dissident NPF MLAs openly revolted against his leadership that he has been running the DAN government without filling up the four Cabinet Ministerial Posts which remained vacant after G Kaito Aye, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, Noke Wangnao and Dr Benjongliba Aier were dropped. Expectations are running high that he will exercise expansion of his Ministry, at least, after March 27 ECI directives. But things remain the same if not complicated.

But the question is – How long will TR continue his government without expanding his Ministry? Is there any logic for him to remain in the same fashion? If he further delays expansion of his Ministry, then the people of Nagaland will be made to believe something otherwise on him. If he continues with the current mode with no efforts to expand and restructure the Ministry, he will only push the state backward. The world is moving so fast and we seem to be more complacent even after fully knowing of the continuous deficiencies in the governing. The present trend should not continue further as it will cause irreparable loss to the people of Nagaland in the long run.

Nagaland : All start eyeing on the Governor

By Oken Jeet Sandham When Chief Minister (CM) TR Zeliang met Governor PB Acharya on January 9 and submitted him a proposal to summon a Special Session of the Nagaland

By Oken Jeet Sandham

When Chief Minister (CM) TR Zeliang met Governor PB Acharya on January 9 and submitted him a proposal to summon a Special Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for “Trial of Strength” of his government, the picture of the ongoing “political crisis” within the ruling major NPF was clear that it was beyond its control.

The simmering leadership issue within the NPF legislature party has been going ever since Zeliang took over from Neiphiu Rio, and even high pitched dissenting voices kept coming out on the issue but none of them had such a proportion like the current one fast engulfing every institution in the state.

Leadership crisis in every political establishment used to happen. But when such crisis takes place, the polarization within the party occurs. There will be a lot of unwanted developments and the innocent common men, even within the same community, will also be sharply divided. Because, most of them normally listen to and are loyal to their own respective representatives who have been elected by them. In this way, social disturbances are bound to happen.

As soon as the news of the 22 dissident NPF MLAs camping at Sovima to replace Zeliang’s leadership flashed early this month, Zeliang’s boat started having a stormy journey. NPF has 38 MLAs in the house of 60. The situation began worsening when NPF president Dr Shurhozelie issued suspension order of 7 dissident NPF legislators, G Kaito Aye, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, Zhaleo Rio, Pukhayi, Pohwang Konyak, Shetoyi and Tovihoto, from the 22-member dissident group led by Kaito on January 5. This was followed by the dropping of them from the Zeliang ministry.

The suspension of 7 dissident NPF lawmakers did not stop the Kaito group from continuing the move. They even reasserted that their move was to replace the leadership in the NPF legislature party and not against the DAN government. They have 22 NPF MLAs while 15 NPF MLAs without Speaker are with Zeliang. After the suspension of 7 MLAs, Kaito’s strength has reduced to 15 but then subsequent suspension of 2 more NPF dissident MLAs, Noke Wangao and Imong L Imchen, on January 10, it has reduced to 13.

So, in the leadership crisis, when voting takes place to choose a new legislature party leader, the suspended MLAs will have no voting right except on the Floor of Assembly.

Now, the whole issue goes in different direction after the Kaito group called a Special Emergency Meeting of the NPF on January 12 and electing suspended senior regionalist Noke Wangnao as new president of the party. Soon after his election, all the suspended orders had been revoked and in a more dramatic manner, they had even suspended Dr Shurhozelie from the NPF. Now the media started using as “NPF led by Noke Wangnao” or “NPF led by Dr Shurhozelie” while filing their news, may be for clarity of the news.

The ongoing crisis within the NPF, if not resolved, will lead to constitutional breakdown, though Zeliang has already submitted a proposal to governor Acharya on January 9 for summoning a Special Session of Nagaland Legislative Assembly for “Floor Test.” Perhaps, the governor’s failure to give decisive response to the proposal, the Zeliang government might be compelled to call for a cabinet meeting. So the cabinet of the Zeliang government had its meeting on January 15, 2015 and finally recommended for “Trial of Strength” on January 20, 2015.

But the Kaito group has questioned the motive behind Zeliang’s move for “Floor Test” saying that their move was not to challenge his government but his leadership. Zeliang, however, explained that the “Trial of Strength” was the only option to solve the current crisis.

The governor is not only the head of the state but also the custodian of the Constitution. He is well equipped with Constitutional machineries that can solve the present political crisis in Nagaland. So far, he has not acted upon the crisis with these machineries. He might be holding series of consultations with constitutional experts before taking any measures but the government cannot be kept in suspense. Now it has been 13 days that both sides have been camping in two different locations.

Now that the Zeliang Cabinet has recommended for “Motion of Confidence” of his government on January 20, 2015, everyone starts eyeing on the governor.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/nagaland-all-start-eyeing-on-the-governor/

NPF leaders reveal Nagaland CM`s murky transactions in foreign bank accounts

IMPHAL, January 15: Nagaland People`™s Front president Noke Wangnao and leader of NPF legislature party Kaito Aye have alleged that now it was crystal clear why former party president Dr

IMPHAL, January 15: Nagaland People`™s Front president Noke Wangnao and leader of NPF legislature party Kaito Aye have alleged that now it was crystal clear why former party president Dr Shurhozelie has stood firmly behind T.R. Zeliang despite the latter losing popular support of the NPF and Democratic Alliance of Nagaland MLAs.

In a press release, the two party leaders stated that the real motive behind the support was the exchange of enormous amounts of black money that changed hands through multinational companies and which were deposited in foreign banks.

The two leaders in the press release mention that documents of international money transfers to TR Zeliang and his wife`™s accounts in Hong Kong and Kuala Lampur sent from Singapore are in their possession (a copy of which has been provided to the IFP).

The details of money transfers contained in the documents are to the tune of more than 78 crores, it said.

The two leaders also released some documents giving the details of money transactions of more than Rs. 78 crores and 66 lakhs. The documents reveal that an amount of 70,00,000 Singapore dollars roughly equivalent to Rs. 32,37,50,000 was transferred on August 16 last to Zeliang`™s bank account at the Royal Bank of Canada, Hong Kong by a certain Ramasamy Veeran from an account at the DBS Bank Ltd, Six Sheraton Way, DBS Building, Singapore.

The documents also further reveal that an amount of 1,00,08,500 Singapore dollars roughly equivalent to Rs. 46,28,93,125 was transferred to the account of Zeliang`™s wife, Kevizenuo Rangkau on September 26 last year at the RHB Bank BHD, Kuala Lumpur.

The money was transferred from an account at the OCBC Bank BHD, People`™s Park Centre, Singapore belonging to a certain Raguvaran Murali who mentions Ramasamy Veeran as his contact person, according to the document.

The enormous amount of illegal money is used to lure MLAs and party workers to favour Zeliang, it said, adding a syndicate of few ministers and politicians are secretly running the affairs of Nagaland and making unbelievable amounts of money for their personal gains.

It said they are selling Nagaland and the rights of the Naga people and carrying out international money transfers and moving black money which is being kept in foreign bank accounts.

`All this transferring and movement of black money is not only illegal and a direct admission of corruption but they are also a threat to national security of the country and needs to be investigated by competent authorities of the country so that those responsible can be punished as per the law of the land`, the two NPF leaders said in the press release.

Stating that the shocking revelations of his involvement in the corruption and transferring of black money requires his immediate removal as Chief Minister, it said he has no more moral authority to continue even for a single day as the Chief Minister of Nagaland.

In the press release, the two leaders accused him of not only being a minority Chief Minister but also a Chief Minister who has been selling Nagaland and the rights of the Naga people for his own personal gains.

`We have several more revelations to be brought out to the public domain on how he is involved in high corruption and how he has been releasing hundreds of crores as payments to selected contractors for his self gains`, the two leaders said in the press release, adding all this while he has been harping of the deficit and financial crisis in Nagaland while continuing to release funds wherever he has benefited. In just a few months as Chief Minister, he has accumulated hundreds of crores and has concentrated solely on making money as he always knew that his days as the Chief Minister were numbered, it said.

Even now, under the present political circumstances, the Chief Minister is clearing dozens of files everyday making crores and crores of payments under illegal circumstances and making money by keeping all his few MLAs and Ministers under forced confinement at de Oriental Grand hotel in Kohima, the two leaders said in the release.

Another fact that needs to be pointed out is that all the ministers, parliamentary secretaries, advisers and chairman who are supporting Kaito Aye have already tendered their resignations protesting against the illegal, unconstitutional and dictatorial orders of the Dr Shurhozelie and also due to the fact that Zeliang is now in the clear minority, it said.

In the press release, the two leaders assure the people of Nagaland that they will fix responsibility and punish him as per the law of the land once a popular government is installed in Nagaland. Any bureaucrat or politician, who is obeying the illegal instructions of the minority Chief Minister, will also be held responsible for their actions, the press release warns.

It is a clear sign of his inability and present minority position that the minority Chief Minister had called the officers and bureaucrats of the State Government to explain his political position and justify his embarrassing loss of confidence by the elected Members, it said, adding Zeliang has not only demeaned the office of the Chief Minister but also embarrassed himself and brought disrepute to the entire establishment in carrying out this immature and childish actions.

Nagaland – TR Zeliang should show something on the ground

By Oken Jeet Sandham Ever since the TR Zeliang government came in a little over one month back, the overall administration and political environment continues to remain still unpredictable. No

By Oken Jeet Sandham

Ever since the TR Zeliang government came in a little over one month back, the overall administration and political environment continues to remain still unpredictable. No major programs and policies are initiated and the state government machineries are still visibly weak. Things are increasingly complex day by day and looking at the whole scenario, it appears that chief minister TR Zeliang is being bogged down and helpless in bridling his “jumbo size ministry.”

For the first time after becoming the chief minister of Nagaland, he admitted state’s pathetic financial position during the joint meeting of council of ministers, AHODs, HODs, on June 17 at secretariat conference hall, Kohima. Then after few days, he had given a statement to the press mentioning state’s estimated deficit at the tune of over Rs 1200 crore. This is not everything for the financial woes of the state, the loans taken by the state since 2003 to 2013 is Rs 5972.93 crore which in fact has exceeded the permitted limits of taking loans by the state. Although his remark that further appointment should be stopped was heard, it is extremely doubtful that such step would work.

It is true that then NDA prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had shown extra-ordinary care and concern for then Neiphiu Rio’s 1^stDAN government which was, in fact, fortunate enough that it had not only got Rs 365 crore as one time grant to wipe out state’s accumulated deficit but also received another huge economic package of Rs 1053 crore. But such sops from the Vajpayee government in 2003 did not stop the Rio ministry from taking loans as stated above. However, one should not forget that then Rio’s 1^st DAN government had enjoyed that entire unprecedented economic grant and package from then Vajpayee government was only because seven BJP MLAs were there in the ministry. In the 1^st DAN government, the BJP was the second largest party with seven MLAs while NPF with nineteen MLAs.

The DAN-I government after enjoying all these economic facilities from then Vajpayee government had to continue for the next 10 years with the next Congress-led UPA governments at the Center. During this period, the Annual Plan Size of the state kept increasing till such time the state had to experience negative Plan Size in 2013. Only after this expected trend, state government started narrating different stories that the Center had done away with the funding pattern which it enjoyed till 1989. This is the same story Dr SC Jamir as chief minister used to tell us demanding the Center to revert back to the pre-1989 funding pattern.

The economic growth pushes nation’s wealth and also enhances its potential for reducing poverty and solving other social problems. However, such trend failed to make the human development progressed. Instead such economic growth was achieved at the cost of greater inequity, higher unemployment, weakened democracy, loss of cultural identity, or overconsumption of resources needed by future generations. As the links between economic growth and social and environmental issues are better understood, experts including economists tend to agree that this kind of growth is inevitably unsustainable—that is, it cannot continue along the same line for long, stated a recent document of the United Nations.

The United Nations explains that it is not difficult to point out which country is richer and which one is poorer. But indicators of wealth, which reflect the quantity of resources available to a society, provide no information about the allocation of those resources—for instance, about more or less equitable distribution of income among social groups, about the shares of resources used to provide free health and education services, and about the effects of production and consumption on people’s environment. Thus it is no wonder that states with similar average incomes can differ substantially when it comes to people’s quality of life: access to education and health care, employment opportunities, availability of clean air and safe drinking water, the threat of crime, and so on.

To be sustainable, economic growth must be constantly nourished by the fruits of human development such as improvements in workers’ knowledge and skills along with opportunities for their efficient use: more and better jobs, better conditions for new businesses to grow, and greater democracy at all levels of decision making.

Looking at the present state of affairs in Nagaland, the chief minister will have a very unpredictable journey and of course, one can’t blame him as he inherits the state of affairs. Yet he as chief minister is accountable to the state and one wonders how he is going to develop the state when he literally has nothing at hand.

On the other hand, we can still see the complaints and disappointments from the ruling NPF over the distribution of portfolios. Some legislators appointed as chairmen of various boards with Cabinet status do not have their offices as yet due to “jumbo size ministry.” Even some former ministers are still occupying ministerial bungalows which have already been allotted to new parliamentary secretary. Some parliamentary secretaries are still using their Boleros allotted by Assembly Secretariat.

Ironically, the initial jubilation that the powerful BJP-led NDA government at the Center will rescue the trouble-torn and cash-starved TR government in the state is fast dwindling. At the same time, after carefully studying the start-off of the Narendra Modi government at the Center, the scene becomes crystal clear that no bounty is likely to come hastily to the ever fragile TR government in Nagaland.

However, the recent merger of three NCP MLAs with the BJP in Nagaland has given some breather in the minds of the general publics for the fact that the Center is currently ruled by the BJP-led NDA. This masterstroke by the three NCP MLAs smacked other political detractors in the state as the move came at a time when the Center is ruled by the BJP-led NDA. However, it is still doubtful that the Center will come forward to lend their ears to the financial quagmire of the NPF-led DAN government.

Nagaland is a small state that depends for everything on the Center. The only way to convince the Central leadership is Zeliang has to start exercising frugality in his government and show some positive result on the ground. He also should ponder over his “jumbo size ministry” which simply defeats his point of argument seeking any kind of financial grant from the Center. He should exercise some kind of visible curtail of his jumbo size ministry, though they may be hard exercise. Then only will the Central government start contemplating to work out a grant for the state.