“We are 100 per cent right in all legality and as far as the anti-defection law is concerned,” claims the Nagaland Chief Minister.

Nagaland  Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio claimed the Central government was in no mood to impose President’s Rule in the State.

Addressing a press conference after his return from New Delhi, the Chief Minister said he had briefed the Centre on the latest political developments in the State and that the meetings were “successful”.

“We submitted all the papers to the Home Ministry and all agencies. We are 100 per cent right in all legality and as far as the anti-defection law is concerned.” Rio said he had to meet the Central leaders after the Congress continued pressurizing the AICC and Central government for imposition of President’s Rule in the State. The Chief Minister disclosed that he had met and spoke to several legal experts about the position of his government who had in turn written to President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.He claimed the Left parties told the government that the decision taken by the Speaker of Nagaland of Legislative Assembly was “legal”. Rio said it was unfortunate that Congress in Nagaland was trying to take power from the “backdoor”.

Describing the NPA as an “illegal alliance”, he said “If Congress and JD (U) had formed an alliance there would not have been any problem but even NPF and Independent MLAs are part of the alliance.” Rio disclosed that the NPF had already initiated disciplinary action against two NPF legislators including Tokheho and T. Tali.

On his meeting with Governor K. Sankaranarayanan earlier, Rio said “I went to show my respect and also submit to him some documents, which were written by various political parties and legal luminaries”.The Chief Minister described the Governor as a man “who holds to his principles and integrity and has vast experience in the field of polity”.

Earlier while talking to media persons in Guwahati, Rio castigated the Congress for its attempt to destabilize the DAN government. He said despite suffering defeat on the floor of the Assembly on December 13, the Congress was now camping in Delhi trying to ensure imposition of President’s Rule in the State, barely 2 months ahead of the general elections.

He ridiculed the NPA describing it as “assemblage of disgruntled elements who cannot face elections boldly but want to capture power through abuse of Constitutional provisions and political mischief and manipulation”. Rio claimed the NPA was impermissible under Articles 164 (1B) and 361(B) of the Constitution, which prohibit defectors from becoming Ministers and holding remunerative political posts.

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