GUWAHATI: Hectic politicking has begun in Nagaland to bring former chief minister Neiphiu Rio back into the limelight even as tribal organizations are going for chief minister T R Zeliang’s jugular over his government’s decision to hold civic polls with 33 per cent reservation for women.
The tribes have been enforcing an indefinite statewide lockdown this week but on Tuesday they decided to exempt students sitting in the board exams.
A three-time chief minister, Neiphiu Rio was suspended by the Naga People’s Font (NPF) last year.
On Tuesday, amid the clamour for Zeliang’s resignation, four MLAs of the party ---- Noke Wangnao, C M Chang, Namri Nchang and Kropol Vitsu -- appealed to their leadership to revoke Rio’s suspension, describing him as the “tallest and most acceptable leader of the Nagas.” Four former MPs have also thrown their weight behind Rio.
The three-time former chief minister, who is Nagaland’s lone MP, is currently camping in Delhi for an unknown purpose. There are reports that Rio is in Delhi to discuss formalities as to how he should take over the helms of affairs.
The NPF is an ally of the BJP in the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland. But the NPF claimed that Rio was summoned to Delhi because “there have been negative reports from various quarters about his involvement in worsening the ongoing social unrest”.
Zeliang has been alleging that the current unrest is purely political in nature.
Hailing from the Zeliang Naga tribe, the chief minister started off as a minister in the state government and rose to be a Rajya Sabha member. In 2014, when the then chief minister Rio chose to go to Parliament and vacated the CM’s position, Zeliang took over. When Rio wanted his chair back upon being denied a ministerial berth in Delhi, the doors were closed.
Meanwhile, tribal protesters on Tuesday allowed class X students to appear in their board exams but would not allow government offices to function nor any movement of government vehicles. Offices have been closed for a fortnight