The opposition has been small and toothless for years but will now comprise 27 MLAs in a 60-member House.
New Delhi: As T.R. Zeliang stepped down as chief minister, Nagaland stepped into new political territory – after a long time, the state will see a strong opposition in the 60-member assembly, perhaps the biggest so far.
Set to assume office in the state is an alliance comprising former chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (16 MLAs) and BJP (12), with the support of two MLAs of the National People’s Party, the lone MLA of the Janata Dal (United) and Independent Tongpang Ozukum.
In opposition is Zeliang’s Naga People’s Front, which emerged as the single-largest party in these elections with 27 seats.
Speaking to the media in Kohima Tuesday, Zeliang said his party would extend full support to the new government in matters concerning the largest interest of the Nagas, but also play a constructive role as opposition.
Cause for optimism
Nagaland, which has often suffered instability in the government, has largely had a small, and thus toothless, opposition. As recently as 2015, the opposition almost disappeared when eight Congress legislators defected to the NPF-led government.
The local media and civil society are hopeful that this time there will be a strong opposition in the assembly. “The opposition will have to be strong and vociferous in their criticism so the government is made answerable for their actions,” said Geoffrey Yaden, editor-in-chief of Nagaland Post, one of the oldest dailies in the state.
Chuba Ozukum, president of the Naga Hoho, the apex tribal body, said a strong opposition could mean a stable government, which, he added, was necessary for the peace process. When asked how this might be, given that the state government had never been formally involved in the dialogue between the Centre and NSCN(I-M), he said, “The state government can play facilitators, who resolve the differences between the Naga groups and among the different tribes as well that the government of India has been taking advantage of.”
The new kingmaker
In Nagaland, the BJP was in alliance with the NPF for 15 years before tying up with the NDPP, a new party, ahead of this year’s election. The NPF remains a member of the NDA as well as the BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), and a coalition partner of the BJP in Manipur too.
Needless to say, the BJP would have been a part of the Nagaland government even if the NPF had managed to secure a majority.
However, no one expected them to play kingmaker, a role generally reserved for smaller regional parties and Independents.
The NPF tried to swing the BJP in its favour, with Zeliang even reportedly threatening to withdraw from the alliance government in Manipur.
However, the BJP refused to junk the pact with the NDPP. Sources in the BJP told ThePrint that shifting alliances was “never a question”.
Signs of trouble
The new cabinet is reportedly set to take oath Thursday, when the final list of portfolios is also expected to be released. The BJP has been offered at least six key cabinet portfolios in the new government, along with five advisory roles, leaving only five important berths to the NDPP.
Sources in the NDPP said this had already triggered dissent in the party.