President’s Rule in Nagaland

The President, who is in Hyderabad, received the recommendation on Wednesday and issued the proclamation of President’s Rule on Thursday.

The Nagaland People’s Front (NPF)-led Democratic Alliance Government survived the no-confidence motion 23-19 on December 13 after the Speaker debarred three Independents from taking part in the voting. He contended that they had earlier supported the NPF and now wanted to support the Congress. The vote of nine dissident NPF MLAs was also invalid as they went against the party whip, the Speaker had ruled.

The Congress questioned the decision and maintained that the Neiphiu Rio Government had been voted out of power. Party legislators had demanded the Government’s dismissal, alleging constitutional impropriety on the part of the Speaker. The Congress central leadership had backed the demand of its state unit, saying the Opposition had won the no-confidence vote.

The Congress argued that the Opposition had the support of 31 legislators in the 60-member Assembly. This included 17 from the Congress, two from the JD (U), three Independents and 9 from the ruling Nagaland People’s Front who voted against their own party.

The Union Cabinet decision on President’s Rule came after the Government consulted the Union Law Ministry and concluded that the Speaker’s ruling was deemed to be in violation of rules and procedures.