Nagaland: Another DAN MLA withdraws support

Kohima, Oct 06: Another senior legislator of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) has withdrawn his support from the party reducing the coalition to 36 in the 60-Member House.

Senior legislator Huska Sumi, who was elected from the Pughoboto Assembly constituency in Zunheboto district on Janata Dal (United) ticket, has withdrawn his support to the Neiphiu Rio led DAN government alleging that it had failed on all fronts.

A copy of his letter was also given to the Speaker.

In the letter to the governor, Mr Sumi had alleged that the regular factional clashes were political issues and that the policy of equi-closeness have led to fratricides and destruction of properties in the state.

The MLA also accused Chief Minister Neiphu Rio for failure of the political negotiation and Common Minimum Programme in the state.

There were 43 DAN members in the 60-Member House, with 32 members from the Nagaland Peoples' Front (NPF), five from BJP, JD(U) two and Independent four. The opposition Congress has a strength of 17.

Earlier four NPF legislators -- Kewekhape Therie, Z Obed, Vatsu Meru and N Yeangphong Konyak -- had also resigned from the Assembly and the party.

The NPF now reduced to 27 and with the withdrawal of support by one JD(U) members and one Independent Khutovi Sema, the DAN coalition has reduced to 36.

UNI