KOHIMA: The state assembly of the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland was dissolved by its governor Dr. M.M. Thomas on advice of chief minister Vamuzo who accused the Congress (I) of trying to topple his ministry through defections.
While dissolving the assembly the governor advised Vamuzo to continue as caretaker chief minister pending holding of fresh elections it was officially stated.
“The dissolution of the assembly apparently took the center by surprise with home minister S.B. Chavan stating in the upper house of parliament that New Delhi had not been consulted adding that the law ministry Was: being consulted on the future course of action.
Vamuzos ruling National Peoples Council had 24 members and the opposition Cong (I) had 19 members in the dissolved assembly which had an effective strength of 45. Two members were unattached while the remaining 15 had been disqualified under the anti-defection act and are still fighting a-court battle to restore their membership.
Ina day of swift political developments seven ministers and one MLA withdrew support to the chief minister but Vamuzo said he had not received-any communication from them As far as he was concerned they had not withdrawn support at the time of the assembly dissolution.
Vamuzo told PTI that the state had been going through political instability with three governments in the last three years.
“I had a stable government but the Congress (I) had been trying bring it down throughout defections” he said adding that two central ministers during visits to the state this month had tried to encourage defections from his party.
“Some of my member had become panicky and there was an air of uncertainty in the state I therefore decided to seek a fresh mandate” he said. The chief minister said that he wanted the elections as early as possible.
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