Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Trust motion ends in controversy; NPA stakes claim: Kohima, Dec 13 (NPN): Political crisis looms large over the state after controversies surrounded the one-day session on Thursday where the no confidence motion was taken with the opposition claiming victory by 31-23 votes whereas the Speaker nullifying the record by asserting that the DAN passed through with a 23-19 margin. The contrast in the arithmetic could be explained by the fact that the opposition comprising of 17 Congress, 2 JD(U) and three Independent MLAs were joined by six former NPF legislators who had resigned on Wednesday but which was reportedly not accepted by the Speaker. In addition, cross voting by three from the ruling NPF camp -- Kheto, Tokheho and Tali -- added to the tally of 31 for the motion while the remaining 23 DAN members voting against the motion. The proceedings of the house on Thursday was disrupted after the entire opposition members stood in unison near the well of the house, singing “We Shall Over...

Six Naga MLAs quit Assembly: Kohima, Dec. 12: Six legislators of the Nagaland People’s Front, the major constituent of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), resigned from the Assembly on Wednesday, ahead of a crucial session on Thursday. Nagaland Speaker Kiyanielie Peseyie said he had received the resignation letters of Kihoto Hollohon, Kipili Sangtam, Nkhao Lotha, Tarie Zeliang, Kheto Sema and Hewoto Sema. Peseyie, however, said there was no threat whatsoever to the ruling DAN government and that it would complete its full tenure. The Assembly polls are slated for February. “There is no threat to the government. We are comfortable,” the Speaker said. With the resignation of the six legislators, the total strength of the DAN government has been reduced to 27 (NPF 22, BJP 4 and one Independent). The legislators later called on Governor K. Sankaranarayanan and reportedly urged him to accept the no-confidence motion in the Assembly tomorrow. The motion will be initiated by the...