Congress not reponsible for Prez rule:Imkong

Kohima, Jan 9 (UNI) Opposition Congress leader I Imkong today said the party and the Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) members did not demand President's rule in the state but only dismissal of the 'minority' Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government.

Addressing a press conference here after returning from New Delhi, the leader of Opposition in the previous Nagaland Assembly alleged that failure of the DAN government led to the imposition of Central rule.

Mr Imkong said after 'defeating' the DAN coalition on the floor of the House on December 13 last, his party, with the support of 31 NPA members, should have been called upon to form the government.

Chief Minister Neiphu Rio had survived the trial of strength when a No Confidence motion was defeated by 23-19 votes in the 60-member House after the Speaker barred three Independents from taking part in voting and held that the votes of nine dissident ruling NPF members were invalid.

Mr Imkong said the Central leaders, including the Prime Minister and Home Minister, had said that the decision of the Assembly Speaker was 'illegal'.

The Nagaland Assembly, which is in suspended animation following Central rule, had 55 members after five members resigned from the House last year.

The imposition of President's rule in the state came ahead of the Assembly polls in February.

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