Rio-Alemtemshi: New Politics?

As Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir goes into premature retirement from government service, one cannot but sense the significance, not just the timing of his exit, but also the popular belief gaining ground about the future role of the retiring bureaucrat as a political leader in his own right. Although this writer does not know him personally, my impression is that this former Chief Secretary was always destined for leadership, beyond the civil service or IAS. While we do not know if he had nurtured any ambition to join electoral politics, it is obvious that a role in politics would be thrust on him. And whether this column is correct or not, Alemtemshi must have known that such a responsibility would ultimately come his way.  

To my mind, Alemtemshi was not just another IAS officer. He was a cut above the rest. Even his critics will agree that Alemtemshi proved his mettle when it came to his job as a career civil servant. What was most noteworthy, from among the many things he had contributed during his 37 year long service, was perhaps the innovation that he brought to the government system in Nagaland. Despite whatever shortcomings he may have had (we all do), Alemtemshi was known for his hard work and going by record, he tried his best, despite the odds, to make the system work for the benefit of the people. The mission mode development programmes, especially those related to land and natural resources, which he helped built, are testimony to this.  

As already mentioned, Alemtemshi was destined to enter the political fray. Perhaps the first step in this direction was the decision to field his eldest son, Merentoshi Jamir on an NPF ticket during the recent State Assembly election. Known for his close proximity with former Congress Chief Minister SC Jamir, this move to field his son on an NPF ticket raised some eyebrows. This writer's own assessment is that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio did a masterstroke to offer an NPF ticket to Alemtemshi's son and thereby outsmarting the Nagaland Congress, who were also perhaps keen to rope in the then Chief Secretary to its side. And after retaining power for the third consecutive time, Rio inducted Merentoshi into the Cabinet, which was again quite a suprise given that there were many other seniors waiting in the wings for the coveted position of ministership. Perhaps Rio was making a political statement of the things about to unfold.  

Again, this is just a personal viewpoint, but Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would have been well aware about the 'potential' of Alemtemshi, if the latter were to enter politics (which is now only matter of time). Like SC Jamir and Neiphiu Rio before him, Alemtemshi has the ability to become a mass leader in his own right. Although Alemtemshi may lack the experience at present when it comes to party politics, he has that 'certain quality', charisma and stature like a Jamir or a Rio, which could make him the next big thing in State politics. He is definitely chief ministerial material irrespective of the political party he may be in. Perhaps Rio must have known all this as he contemplated his next political move.  

As the next Lok Sabha election approaches, the big question is whether it will be Rio or Alemtemshi who will contest on the ruling NPF ticket. Rio for that matter has already expressed his desire to contest, although the party has still not yet made a formal decision. At the time of writing this article it was being reported that the NPF Search Committee had endorsed Rio's name. Earlier there were also talks about the possibility of Alemtemshi getting the NPF ticket. The bigger question though is, what if Rio indeed relinquishes office and moves to Delhi. Could Alemtemshi replace Rio as Chief Minister? In politics nothing can be ruled out although conventional wisdom would suggest that a newcomer to politics like Alemtemshi should be fielded for the Lok Sabha seat leaving Rio to manage the nitty-gritty affairs of State politics. At the end of the day though, whatever may be the outcome, it looks likely that Rio will find a role for Alemtemshi in some political capacity.