Jamir sacks Power Minister Therie

DIMAPUR, May 17 ? Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta has terminated the appointment of Kewekhape Therie, Minister of power on the advice of state chief minister SC Jamir on Thursday. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretary RS Pandey this evening read "in exercise of powers vested under clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Nagaland has terminated the appointment of K Therie as Power Minister with effect from the afternoon of May 16, 2002." The high political drama was heightened Thursday morning when the 16 Pf?tsero Assembly Constituency Congress Committee resolved not to allow Therie to resign ?until such time the Chief Minister substantiates his action with adequate reasons.? It is also understood that Therie instead of submitting his resignation letter to the Chief Minister as desired by the latter, cited the resolution of the Pf?tsero ACCC and passed on the ball to the court of Jamir. He wrote to the Chief Minister that since he does not ?greed for power? he leaves upon the Chief Minister to take whatever decision he deems fit. The Chief Minister opted to advise the Governor to drop Therie from his Council of Ministers, thus removing his 'worst critic'. Meanwhile, Congress party functionaries exuded confidence that this latest development would in no way hamper the electoral prospects of the party in the State. Earlier, late Thursday night, when contacted to comment, Therie said that he was as ignorant as to why the chief minister had asked him to resign, as because Jamir did not mention the ground when asked him to resign immideately last evening through a letter. Therie was of the view that the Chief Minister may have asked him to take this drastic step because he had differed with him on 'Bedrock of Naga Society', a booklet Jamir issued last year besides he was against the view that the Naga political situation should be solved under the Indian Union and Indian Constitution. The new development, at a time when the Centre has cleared docks for the smooth passage of Isak-Muivah to the country to continue the ongoing talks on the Indian soil and when speculation are on the rise of NSCN-IM's participation in the coming general election scheduled to be held in February 2003, although the organisation rubbished a report published in this direction. Meanwhile, the District Congress Committee of Phek has lauded the decision of the Chief Minister Mr SC Jamir to drop Therie from his Council of Ministers saying that it is ?wise and politically correct? and added that Therie ?had failed in his responsibilities as a responsible Minister.? A press release issued by the Phek DCC S?nieyi while endorsing the decision of the Chief Minister, appealed to all Congress men and women to remain calm and firm and to be aware of being ?swayed by rumour or cheap propaganda.? ?The people of Phek district believe in the policies and programmes of Congress party through which goods are delivered to the public during the past nine and half years,? S?nieyi said. ?Whatever achievement made in Phek district during those years of Congress rule is due to the dynamic leadership of SC Jamir and the cooperation given to the Governemnt by our people.?