2 more MLAs resign

Four days after two former Congress MLAs resigned from both the party and the assembly and joined the ruling NPF, the opposition suffered another jolt when two more sent in their resignations to the Assembly speaker Tuesday.The two Congress MLAs- Azheto Zhimomi of 3 Dimapur-III and Deo Nukhu of 17 Chizami followed the footsteps of their colleagues- Kejong Chang who represented Tuensang Sadar –II and Aloh Wangham of Tizit assembly constituencies.With the latest resignations, the Congress strength has been reduced to 19 and the effective strength of the house to 56. The major DAN coalition party the NPF currently has 26, BJP and NCP two each, and supported by six independent MLAs.Sources said both the MLAs tendered their resignation to Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie at his official residence at 8 pm Tuesday.When contacted, the Speaker said he has accepted the resignation of the two Congress MLAs and that a notification to this effect would be issued tomorrow.CONG DEMANDS PROBE: Earlier, on Tuesday morning, the Congress at a meeting held at the Congress Bhavan here demanded a probe either by CBI or by a High Court or Supreme Court Judge to ascertain the alleged “monetary transactions” leading to their resignation.The meeting of the PCC office bearers and DCC presidents discussed the developments arising out of the February 13 resignation of the two former MLAs.After the meeting a memorandum was submitted to Governor K Sankaranarayanan at Raj Bhavan but he was out of station. Condemning what it termed “ immoral act” of the NPF Party, the Congress alleged that the party adopted “despicable and diabolical methods” to convert the elected people’s representatives into purchasable commodity. It also lambasted the two former party MLAs for their “abhorrent and nefarious behaviour” bereft of Christian principle by selling themselves for Rs 5 crore each.The Congress accused the NPF-led DAN government of having miserably failed in containing the menace of rampant extortion and intimidation perpetrated by anti-social elements all over the state.The Congress alleged that corruption under the DAN government reached saturation point as funds sanctioned by Delhi for development were siphoned off by a privileged people in power. It appealed to people to condemn the “anti-people” and “anti-development activities” of the DAN government and join hands with it for restoration of a corruption free and democratic government.Later, addressing the media, NPCC president KV Pusa asserted that his party would not take the issue lying down. He regretted that while the Congress was acting as a constructive opposition, the NPF indulged in “politics of buying MLAs” instead of concentrating on developmental activities.CLP leader Chingwang Konyak disclosed that mineral water cartons were seen being loaded on Aloh Wangham’s vehicle at the CM’s house. “Money was brought in mineral water cartons, I can confirm that,” but refused so say any more. He said Kejong Chang, to a certain extent, was responsible for Aloh’s resignation as both families are related. “Aloh’s action will not be forgotten by the people and it would go down to his family and children,”Chingwang said. (Nagaland Post)