Kohima, 22 March (MTNews): Following the demand made by the three municipal and 36 town organizations to review or amend the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated on Wednesday that the question of amending the Act does not arise because it has been amended in 2016. “When everything is omitted, there is nothing to delete,” CM Rio told reporters.
Speaking at the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Kohima Region thanksgiving ceremony on Wednesday, Rio asked party workers to disseminate information about the necessity for peaceful polls to the Municipal and Town councils.
He further stated that after the Supreme Court’s direction to notify the Urban Local Body (ULB) election by 9 March, the new state cabinet quickly convened for a meeting and the election schedule was later announced.
Rio warned of contempt of court if any individual or group violated the SC order of 14 March, which directed the state not to make any modifications in the election schedule notified by the State Election Commission.
However, as opposition to the ULB election announcement grew stronger, Rio stated that the government cannot go against the public but it also cannot go against the Supreme Court order.
On oppositionless government
At the same event, CM Rio said that Nagaland will soon become officially oppositionless and that letters of support submitted by MLAs from various political parties, including independents, have been forwarded to Governor La Ganesan and the Speaker of the state Assembly.
Rio also said that he had informed BJP central leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National Spokesperson Nalin Kohli about the same.
Recalling a meeting with the BJP leaders, Rio said that they informed him that they would have to seek the party’s high command on the matter; however, he said he told them that the “politically correct word” should be that the two major parties should welcome the support letters.
“The national party leaders also agreed that the government cannot deny the support of elected representatives,” he added.
The NDPP and its pre-poll ally, the BJP, contested 60 seats and won 37 but despite easily creating a new government, Rio emphasized the necessity of an opposition-less government.
Although many people are questioning the formation of an oppositionless government, according to Rio, Nagas must unite to facilitate resolving the Naga political issue.
“Even if Nagas cannot unite, all 60 MLAs must,” he added.