Nagland: Uncertainty looms over Ministry formation

Kohima, Mar 11: The Election Commission of India (ECI), in its notification, had ordered to complete the election process in Nagaland by today, but re-polling in one polling station under Suruhoto Assembly constituency in Zunheboto district has stalled the completion of the election process.

The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), on March 9, had paraded 34 elected Legislators in front of Nagaland Governor K Sankaranarayanan and staked claim to form the next government. However, there were other formalities to be completed, such as President Pratibha Patil had yet to dissolve the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on recommendation of the Governor and the ECI had to issue notification for constitution of the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly after the completion of election process under Section 73 of the Representation of Peoples Act.

Besides, after having been satisfied that a stable government could be formed, the Governor has to recommend the President to revoke President's Rule and subsequently the leader of the largest party or group would be appointed as the Chief Minister and the swearing-in of the Council of Ministers could proceed.

The DAN has 34 MLAs in the Assembly, with the Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF) having 26, BJP two, NCP two and four Independent members ''unconditionally'' supporting the DAN.

Meanwhile, the re-polling in one polling station under Suruhoto constituency was declared kept 'in abeyance' by the ECI, as re-polling could not be held till March 9 due to internal problems like group clashes between the supporters of the Congress candidate and the Independent candidate. Heavy security deployment has been reinforced in the polling station area to thwart any further clashes.However, the situation was still tense, official sources said.

Meanwhile, without completing all the formalities, the Governor was not in a position to invite any party to form the next government.

UNI