Rio demands reinstatement of DAN Govt
Kohima,
Jan
15:
At
least
24
MLAs
of
the
Democratic
Alliance
of
Nagaland,
led
by
outgoing
Chief
Minister
Neiphiu
Rio,
signed
a
memorandum
before
the
governor
to
prove
that
DAN
still
enjoyed
majority
in
the
state.
The legislators also demanded revocation of Preident's rule and reinstatement of the DAN government as it 'enjoyed majority' in the Assembly with 24 MLAs (Nagaland Peoples' Front 19, BJP four and one Independent) in the present 45-member House. The development comes hours after the Election Commission announced the date of Assembly polls yesterday.
The lawmakers said as 15 legislators had already resigned, the effective strength of the House was 45. They further said the Opposition Congress had only 18 members (Congress 16 and JD(U) two). Later Mr Rio told newsmen that the governor had assured them of writing to the union government.
The Nagaland Assembly is under suspended animation following imposition of President's rule. Yesterday the Election Commission said that the state would have Assembly polls on March 5.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Peoples' Front, a major constituent of DAN, today welcomed the EC's announcement of Assembly elections saying the Front was confident of facing the people's mandate.
UNI