Dimapur, Feb. 18: The alignment of power in Nagaland politics–left wobbling since May 2014 when the then Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio vacated his seat for Lok Sabha membership–appears to be headed for yet another reconfiguration.
Dissidence within the party has plagued the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) since the change in leadership took place in May 2014. The NPF came to power in Nagaland in 2003.
Recently, even as embattled Chief Minister TR Zeliang was left to fend for himself in the wake of the demand for his resignation, it was reported that his party had endorsed NPF president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu as the successor. By then, Zeliang was in Delhi meeting central leaders.
On Saturday, however, reliable sources said that the central leaders had a meeting with Zeliang and Lok Sabha member Neiphiu Rio on February 17 during which Zeliang was directed to relinquish his seat to Rio. After this, Zeliang reportedly asked his ‘core supporters’ numbering around 25 legislators to leave for a resort at Kaziranga National Park at Nagaon in Assam.Late Friday night, the legislators proceeded to Kaziranga and, as news of the new political development spread, the other legislators also followed suit. The last of the legislators to arrive, as informed, was Deo Nukhu who reached the resort late afternoon on Saturday.
In all, 49 legislators held a meeting with Rio who had arrived from Delhi on Saturday. It was informed that they have agreed ‘in principle’ to select Rio as the next chief minister of Nagaland. However, things will take final shape only after the arrival of TR Zeliang, who is expected to reach Kohima on Sunday.
49 legislators will meet with Zeliang in Kohima, sources formed.
It was also reported that the central leadership in New Delhi were not in favour of Dr Shurhozelie, and thus the directive to choose Rio as replacement. Zeliang was not happy that the NPF president had left him hung out to dry.
The four BJP legislators were not present in the meeting. The remaining seven DAN legislators absent were: TR Zeliang, Chotisuh Sazo, Kiyanilie Peseyie, Kuzholuzo Nienu, Khreihu Liezietsu, Tokheho Yepthomi and Vikho-o Yhoshu.
Earlier in the day, at the airport, Rio was asked by reporters if he had come to claim the seat of chief minister. “Well, I am yet to meet the legislators, so at this juncture I have no comment. Let me meet, then I will talk to all of you," he replied.
When asked if he had the support of “majority of the legislators”, Rio said: “That’s what I am informed but I am yet to meet them.”
We still hold the trump card: Shurhozelie
The NPF issued a press statement quoting Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu as saying nothing could go wrong “since we still hold the trump card.” The ‘trump card’, however, was not specified.
It was informed that the NPF chief had made this comment during ‘an emergency meeting of the NPF central executive council and the central office bearers along with the division presidents’ at his residence on Saturday.
He was reported as saying “we are in touch” with the legislators at Kaziranga National Park and that “changes in our favour will take place in a day or two.”
Other speakers pointed out that the party president and the chief whip of the NPF Legislature Party were still with the party organisation and “that the present Kaziranga episode will flop like the failed Coup D’état of 2015 when majority of the NPF legislators embarked on the misadventure but were compelled to return to the party-fold”, it stated.
It also claimed that “senior legislators at Kaziranga” told NPF leaders ‘that they will be returning very soon to the capital and assured party functionaries not to be unduly worried.’
