Politics in Nagaland is as much alive and real as it is of the grapevine. For two consecutive days, political circles, and particularly the corridors of power in the State Capital Kohima, have been reverberating with speculation of the DAN Government headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio facing more resignations by dissident MLAs and some even talking of the government collapsing and imposition of President’s Rule in the State. While political gossip is largely blamed on the so called detractors and the media courting such elements to get a good piece of news, nevertheless in this case, the so called speculations being indulged by the local media is turning out to be true. And just a day ahead of the one-day winter session on December 13, six more legislators of the NPF, heading the DAN coalition resigned from the house thereby pushing the DAN government deeper into a political predicament.
But as far as the survival of the government goes, the predicament is not just of the ruling coalition but also of those who have always looked at every opportunity to topple the Rio Ministry. In this regard, the Congress it would seem has largely been ineffective as an Opposition and has instead been more adept at drawing dissident elements from within the ranks of the DAN alliance. While the recently amended Anti-Defection Law (ADL) is often blamed for the downsizing ‘troubles’ faced by the present government, what the Congress is missing here is that the constitutionally permissible limit of having strength of twelve Ministers is very much a reality, which the Congress will also have to face as and when it comes to power. It would have been better if the Congress had waited for the election, which is anyway only a few weeks away, and then seek the mandate of the people instead of indulging in such politicking at this juncture.
And while politicians play their power games, for those who are concerned about stability of governments it should come as a positive development that the recently amended Anti-Defection Law is not only about downsizing but is also aimed at keeping defection and power mongers at bay. It is a fact that the Anti-Defection Law has helped in keeping the Rio government afloat. Likewise, though unfortunate, the old Anti-Defection Law had also helped in strengthening the present government when seven Congress legislators had defected. But thankfully the days of “Aya Ram and Gaya Ram” of floor crossing is over. Unless our ingenious politicians’ find ways to circumvent the law, there is greater assurance of having stable governments even in the future while also ensuring that the mandate given by the people is not abused in anyway for vested political gains.
Coming back to the spate of resignations taking place, which is downsizing in itself, the genesis has to be seen in the pruning down of the ministry in July 2004. At the time of downsizing, a Core Committee of the DAN was formed to look into this aspect. However one aspect that it obviously missed out was enabling a rotational policy to ensure equality of opportunity in terms of portfolio allocations. At the end, it appears to be a case of political grievance coming out of the downsizing exercise which is driving the present crisis. This is not surprising because as far as keeping a politician happy it is the spoils that matter. The Congress will also have to face this challenge whenever its turn comes.
Note: This Editorial was written before the Assembly Session on December 13)
