Nagaland Chief Minister rushes to New Delhi

Kohima, Dec 18: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and some of his Cabinet colleagues have rushed to New Delhi following the Nagaland Progressive Alliance's (NPA) demand to dismiss the Democratic Aliance of Nagaland (DAN) government.

The newly constituted NPA, an alliance of the Congress, JD(U), Independents and defected members of the Nagaland Peoples' Front (NPF), led by Leader of the Opposition in the Nagaland Assembly I Imkong, were already camping at New Delhi along with 30 NPA members.

The NPA members yesterday met Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and apprised him of the DAN government's defeat in the No Confidence Motion on December 13.

They also alleged that Nagaland Assembly Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie had indulged in ''unconstitutional, outrageous and undemocratic acts with malafide intention'' and demanded immediate dismissal of the DAN government.

NPA sources said Mr Patil assured the 30-member NPA delegation that appropriate steps will be taken according to the provisions of the Constitution.

UNI