Zhovehu Lohe
[dropcap]I [/dropcap]called the ongoing dissension of the two factions within NPF to be a drama and not a full-fledged crisis. My contention is that the breakaway faction, Sovima campers, has never reduced the CM TR Zeliang to minority at any point of time from constitutional and technical point of view, since they have never withdrawn their mandate given to him some months ago, despite their declaration that they do not support the leadership of TR Zeliang anymore. Hoarding a bunch of NPF MLAs in an isolated camp and issuing regular rhetorical paper duels by which the dirty linens of both warring factions being washed in public cannot unseat the Chief Minister Zeliang. Definitely there is a variation between the idiom of ‘not supporting’ and ‘withdrawal’. The mere repetition of chorus of Sovima faction that ‘we are for change of leadership and not of Govt.’ was just enough to cause some ripples and confusion but failed to cripple Zeliang from governance. Only a letter of withdrawal addressing to the Governor of Nagaland will create constitutional crisis. Only then the question of number game comes which is recognized as crisis. TR Zeliang’s ministry is threatened only by that number game and not otherwise. Why?Because, the Sovima faction claims to have 22 NPF MLAs as against 16 at Hotel de Oriental faction till an ex-deacon deserted of late. If what Sovima faction claims is to be believed, then, I wonder, why did not they use the lethal weapon of majority to oust CM TR Zeliang in one of the NPF Legislature party meetings at the right time in precision in a lightning strike? This is a major question. If Sovima faction is confident of the determination, solidarity and reliability of the 22 MLAs, why did not they go for the kill but opted for hoarding 22 MLAs in a heavily guarded(reportedly known) camp in Dimapur. The 22 MLAs should have been bold enough to face the CM Zeliang and coterie in legislature meeting face to face and legally remove him. Such a lightning strike would have immobilized Zeliang from reaction. That would have been a low key affair of smooth transition of power unlike the present drama. In such case, the DAN partners are bound to abide by the outcome of the attempt. The Governor would then have no other option but to comply with positive response. The situation is different now.
The modus operandi of the initial strike of Sovima faction therefore raised eyebrows. As they continue to harp on leadership change, do they have single ambition to have new leadership or do the kingpins have some hidden motives in the guise of leadership change? Was face to face challenge to CM considered unsafe strategy or getting the requisite number of MLAs was unsure lest hoarding was primarily resorted to? Were 22 not bold enough to have frontal confrontation despite their unity? Etc. These are the cup of morning tea for those other political analysts.
Now, both the factions are desirous to have the intervention of the Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland. The Hotel de Oriental faction officially asked the Governor to summon special session to have trial of strength on the floor as a means to solution. On the contrary, the Sovima faction urged the Governor to invite the new leader to form the fresh ministry. To both the factions, the Governor is the most wanted authority at the moment. Yet, my memory reminds that this DAN, not long ago, loathed about Raj Bhavan, Kohima. This DAN treated the Governor with contempt and sincerely attempted to ward off its influence and constitutional protocol of interference in the governance through the amendment of Rules of Executive Business. This DAN tried to seize the power of Raj Bhavan and turn it into a decorative and ceremonial symbol. This DAN, I am sure, is still married to that philosophy of governance minus the indulgence of the Governor. Why change the stance now? Why DAN is desperately trying to woo Governor now who was looked down the other day? Such insult was not to the person as Dr. Ashwini, the predecessor of the present Governor, but to the Governor of Nagaland.
I still hold my expressed view on the drama used as nepenthe on the people of Nagaland to let them forget their rights and sufferings for a temporary period of time. I do not see any serious political tussle being played between the two factions during the last 3 weeks time.
For instance, when a member deserted Sovima camp and joined Hotel de Oriental faction, the former praised the deserter to the hilt more than once that they still trust his credibility, reputation and commitment. It implies that the deserter’s departure is duly endorsed by Sovima, and that he is dispatched as harbinger for the remaining 21. The Hotel de Oriental faction has also named few reign leaders to be most corrupt, unreliable and greedy to extent that those who live in Kohima hotel are pious and perfect as angels as they heaped those accusations as ‘nepotism, favouritism, immoral activities’,..’deficits,’ ‘state road condition plunge(ed) to primitive age’ etc. upon those few named. Nonetheless, the reality is, hotel Kohima cannot survive without those corrupt MLAs. Another similar personal statement published from Sovima is found to be submissive and more of bridging as ‘Barkis is willing’ than assertion.
Therefore, I am not carried away by the turn of events of the regional drama because of the possibilities that those who are most vocal, on behalf of the faction, against the other in another faction would be hugging and kissing each other’s cheeks tomorrow. When election comes, those artificial enemies would be raising holding hands in the same platform discarding the published accusations of today as concocted and rumours. Who should be surprised? Nevertheless, the ongoing drama cannot be indefinite. Those MLAs were elected to serve the public but not to enjoy rest inside impenetrable rat holes. Besides, there is no public issue over which the two factions should quarrel. These MLAs are quarrelling over the pieces of very dry bones at the moment.
Nevertheless, these quarrelsome members have shown ambition to enjoy the new financial year with the start of the 14th Finance Commission by April. We have been observing the calibre and the degree of performance of these people in power over the years. We all know them now that they cannot deliver goods to people except to themselves.
In the light of the situation, that none of the factions will regain the confidence of the general public hereafter, having disrobed one another in public, the better arrangement will be President’s Rule with honest and iron hand. Under such arrangement, no hanky-panky and no indiscipline be tolerated. The haywire, opaque, and mafia-don system of governance should be thoroughly overhauled. In my opinion, development is not priority with this terminal Nagaland disease. As we have been suffering for over a decade, for the next three years, let us tolerate and sweep our State clean provided the Governor is ready to give the expected leadership. Yet, it is doubtful to have that confidence as some of the former Governors were found to be too malleable and CBI too was tested to be plastic toy gun in Nagaland.
Not necessarily pessimistic, but Nagaland’s future is bleak.
