DNA Edit: A new Chief Minister for Nagaland, even as old issues fester

The failure to contain the tribal agitation over offering 33 per cent reservation for women has led to the resignation of TR Zeliang as Nagaland chief minister and the election of octogenarian Shurhozelie Liezietsu as the legislature party leader of the Naga People’s Front (NPF). Liezietsu’s election comes after uncertainty over whether former Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio would muscle his way in for another shot at the top post. When Rio resigned as CM in 2014 after winning the Lok Sabha elections, he was anticipating a larger role in Delhi and a possible cabinet portfolio. After all, the NPF was a National Democratic Alliance constituent and Rio was one of the tallest politicians from the North-East. Moreover, Rio was riding a crest at that time, having served as CM for 11 years and leading the NPF to three consecutive assembly election victories.

But nothing has gone right for the shrewd Rio since the calculated gamble in May 2014 of gifting the chief ministership to Zeliang. The union cabinet post did not materialise and in 2016, the NPF suspended him for anti-party activities. It appears to be this suspension that put paid to Rio’s hopes of a return to the helm of affairs in Nagaland. While Rio can be expected to be an intractable problem for Liezietsu, the latter’s immediate agenda would be to placate the Nagaland Tribes Action Council (NTAC) agitation. It is telling how Zeliang was forced to step down because of an ultimatum served by the NTAC. If a chief minister, enjoying a majority in the assembly, was forced to step down by an agitation it also reveals the brittleness of the civilian administration.

To Zeliang’s credit, his attempt to introduce 33 per cent reservation was a progressive measure, in line with constitutional ideals and norms. There were also economic incentives from various central ministries that would have been unlocked once the reservation was implemented because it would have allowed urban local bodies to function. Since 1993, when 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies was ratified by a Constitution amendment, Nagaland has not had election for these bodies which were intended to further democracy at the grassroots. It is another matter that the Naga tribal bodies have held up Article 371(A) , which states that “notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, no Act of Parliament will apply in respect of religious or social practices of the Nagas. The tribal bodies claim that reservation for women contravenes Naga customs which excludes women from decision making forums.

In the end, Zeliang himself initiated the steps to declare the pro-women legislation providing reservation ‘null and void’, to save his government. Liezietsu, despite being an eminent educationist and Naga litterateur, is unlikely to change tack. The best course before the incoming CM will be to turn his attention to a negotiated settlement of the Naga insurgency. The NPF came to power ousting the Congress by claiming the latter was seeking to torpedo a settlement. The so-called Naga accord inked with much fanfare between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) in August 2015 has not made any progress. Having lost the support of women and tribal leaders, time is running out for the NPF.