Agencies
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 8
Chief minister T.R. Zeliang’s five-month-old government is shaky because of dissidence among the Naga People’s Front (NPF) members, according to a report in The Telegraph newspaper today.
Zeliang took over the government on May 24 when former chief minister Neiphiu Rio quit after winning the Lok Sabha seat. But since then the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) has been facing revolt against the new incumbent. Despite opposition from some members, Zeliang was chosen to be the next leader. Minister for public health engineering department Noke Wangnao and minister for industries and commerce Kaito Ayeh were the forerunners for the top post. Ayeh’s name is still doing the rounds to replace Zeliang. NPF sources admitted dissidence in the party who wanted to topple Zeliang but did not cite reasons.
The NPF has 38 members in a House of 60, but it has not been a smooth sailing for the party as the Centre has downsized the strength of the ministry to only 12. There are 23 parliamentary secretaries and several advisers of the departments. Zeliang did not induct some heavyweights into his new government, which created a rift in the party.
Former minister for health and family welfare Imkong L. Imchen, former minister for school education C.M. Chang, former minister for industries and commerce S. Pangnyu Phom, former minister for tourism E.E. Pangteang and former minister for youth resource and sport Merentoshi R. Jamir were not inducted into the council of ministers.
The NPF lawmakers had decided to repose confidence in the leadership of Zeliang and that any change of leadership in the future would be through a consensus among the members. A party insider said the NPF leadership has requested the dissidents to give time to Zeliang to run the government. But some members observed that Zeliang has become remote controlled by some of his cabinet ministers and his performance till date has not been satisfactory at all.
Rio also met some members of the NPF in Dimapur recently but the outcome of the meeting could not be obtained. But NPF sources said some members did not attend the meeting convened by Rio.
Sources said the dissidents are waiting for governor P.B. Acharya to return from the US. He is expected to reach the state on November 12.
If a new government has to be formed then several of the cabinet ministers would not find a place in the ministry. Party sources said there was heavy undercurrents and politicking to topple the government. But a source said Zeliang might even recommend a President’s Rule if his government was toppled.
The chief minister is also facing dire financial crisis and seeking the Centre’s intervention to bail out the state. The state has a deficit of Rs 1,234 crore.
BJP, which has four members in the DAN government, is closely watching the political development.
