Post-Poll Test for new regimes
Along Longkumer
Consulting Editor
Now that the hustle and bustle of elections is over, it is time for government formation, distribution of responsibility (portfolio), skillful management of political affairs and most importantly putting in place a government that is accountable to the people. This will require a fresh perspective to run the country, especially in the backdrop of the outgoing Congress led UPA government, which had been embroiled in one scam after the other, not to forget the ‘policy paralysis’. The BJP, which is expected to get the mandate to form the next government after today’s results are declared, will do well to ensure an efficient, transparent and corrupt free government. Hopefully the new government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be aware not to repeat the mistakes of the outgoing government, which in fact was the basis on which the BJP’s election campaign was centered on—the complete failure of the Manmohan Singh government to perform and deliver. With numbers on its side, it is expected that Modi will not face much of a problem when it comes to government formation and providing a stable government. However, the biggest challenge for the next government will be to fulfill the big expectation it has generated amongst people all over the country—towards providing speedy development and good governance. Supporters and critics alike will be carefully watching how the newly elected leaders, especially those in government will respond to the exercise of power, which will now be in their hands.
Similarly, the post-poll scenario in Nagaland will also be keenly watched more so because of the leadership change taking place in the NPF led DAN government. With Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio now almost certain to resign and move to Delhi as the next Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, the biggest challenge for the ruling NPF party and the next CM will be on how to sustain the unity of the party and the stability of the government. While the short but disturbing storm created within the ruling NPF on the question of finding Rio’s replacement appears to have subsided for now, the fissure within the NPF, which had developed in the recent power struggle, will perhaps take time to repair. In fact the very nature of the transition of power, which was marked by contesting claim between groups, would have led to suspicion, disunity in the ranks and created an unhealthy competition for power. Those who have supported the new CM would obviously seek favours in return, in the form of better portfolios, promotion and other incentives while those MLAs who were in the other camp, so to say, will feel threatened of being punished for their disloyalty or fickleness.
Obviously the NPF party and its leadership, including Rio, could have done better to ensure a smooth transition as was being done in Gujarat where a consensus has been reached to replace Modi. Nevertheless, now that an agreement has been reached on the next CM for Nagaland, the bigger challenge awaits the new government, which will be without its tallest leader Rio. The NPF party leadership along with the new CM TR Zeliang should sit down and work out an arrangement that will be best suited to ensure the unity of the party and the stability of the government. It will be interesting to see as to who will call the shots in the Nagaland government—the party President Dr Shurhozelie, Rio himself or the new CM. Perhaps Rio will have to don the role of a mentor in order to ensure some sort of continuity in the new ministry headed by TR Zeliang. A fine balance will have to be formulated by the party leadership so that there is as little disturbance in the existing power arrangement while also giving the new CM his full due as the head of the government.
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