Along Longkumer
Consulting Editor
The Probable List of Cabinet Ministers
After such a resounding win in the just concluded Assembly Elections, all eyes are now on how the next government will be formed under Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. It is always a challenge for any Chief Minister when it comes to the task of allocating Ministerial positions or the distribution of power and offices. Rio however is now a past master at this and has always come out with smart moves. He did it in 2003, 2008 and will do so once again using all his political experience. The only difference this time is that unlike in the last two occasion of government formation, Rio has to factor in the huge mandate he has received in 2013 and how this has translated into more seats for the NPF (38) in the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA). He now has to keep watch over more flocks and to make sure that there is no room for dissatisfaction. Given this important task of choosing his Cabinet Ministers and portfolio distribution, Rio would have been listening to the counsel of his close advisors and aides. But the decision will ultimately be left to the wisdom and discretion of the Chief Minister. Elected MLAs should rally around Rio and trust what he has to say and offer.
On the people who will make it to the final list of the 12 Cabinet Ministers, newspapers in the State are already reporting about possible names and portfolios. Some names are easy to guess because they are already part of the Cabinet and have been re-elected so should make it to the list on this merit. They include Rio himself, TR Zeliang, G. Kaito Aye, P. Longon and Azo. There is however some doubt about Imkong L Imchen who had to resign as Home Minister in the last government. Whatever may be the case, at least one Ministerial berth must go to Mokokchung District. That leaves us with 6 Cabinet berths to be filled up as five Ministers in the outgoing government lost while Dr Shurhozelie opted not to contest. The question on everyone’s mind is who will make it to the remaining list of 12. Of this, Kiyanilie Peseyie (Kohima District) deserves a berth, which he is certain to get after obediently serving as Speaker for two consecutive terms of office. Not surprisingly, there seems to be no takers for the prestigious constitutional post of the Speaker. This perhaps reinforces the common perception that money power alone is what drives our elected representatives and not a spirit of servitude.
Coming back to the probable list, Noke Konyak, who was number two in the first Rio Ministry, will also make it to the list. Then according to order of precedence of the last ministry, Yitachu headed the list of Parliamentary Secretaries. As per this writer’s assessment, having won for a third consecutive time and also given his seniority as Parliamentary Secretary, Yitachu deserves a promotion into the Cabinet list, although he will also make a good Speaker given his background and experience in the Law Ministry. As we go further down it becomes more difficult to name the remaining in the probable’s list. If we go by tribal and district consideration, Y. Patton who was a senior Parliamentary Secretary in the last government may just make it to the list. He is also the only one from his tribe elected from the ruling NPF.
Next, given that the NPF has won 6 of the 9 seats in Mon district, it will be politically prudent thing to include another MLA from this district in the Cabinet list. Naiba Konyak has also won for the third consecutive time and has been waiting in the wings. If loyalty is to be rewarded, then someone like Naiba ought to be promoted. For the last slot, the choice could be between accommodating one more berth from Tuensang District (CM Chang) or giving Kiphire District at least one representation (Kipili Sangtam or Torechu) as both seats in the region has gone to the NPF. The outgoing Lok Sabha MP CM Chang may also be considered for the post of Speaker if Rio is looking for someone senior. Added to this is his experience of administration besides his stint in Parliament.
Given the numerous choices before Rio this time around, the easy way out for him would be to allocate one cabinet berth each to all eleven districts. It could solve a lot of complaints and discontentment. However, political consideration rather than allocation on the basis of district or tribe has been the time and tested method of Rio and he is unlikely to change this thinking as he decides on his Cabinet Ministers. From whatever little this writer has seen, for Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, selection of Cabinet Ministers and portfolio distribution is a skilful art of political management and Rio has been able to do a fine balance between the necessity of representative democracy and the pulls and demands of politics. Perhaps that’s the reason why Rio has survived politically thus far. There is no reason why he should not trust his political instinct this time also.
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