Z Lohe
The immense earthquake beneath the ocean in the east of Japan caused mountains of forceful tidal waves which came and caused massive destruction to villages and towns in Japan was literally known as tsunami. What destroyed the life and assets in Japan was by natural calamity which human cannot foresee. The recent crisis in the DAN ministry was manmade caused by a collective ambition of NPF MLAs which had its share of destruction to common assets similar to that of tsunami devastation in Japan some years ago.
In the history of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the 12th House has the Opposition-less Assembly for the first time from the middle of 2014 till date which in itself turned into practically Opposition-full house. The presence of a formidable Opposition in the House is the strongest factor that unites the treasury bench, whereas in the present context that unification factor is totally absent. Failing to keep the ruling party on tender hook by opposition has in turn made the brain of the 60 MLAs complacent and docile. The maxim of ‘idle mind is the devil’s workshop’ is hereby proved for the fact that those crises were never orchestrated by Holy Spirit of Jesus. In absence of Opposition, particularly those novices have missed the great opportunity to learn from fierce debates on issues. The NLA has become like toothless old man swallowing whatever he can gulp without chewing within 15 minutes which is injurious to his health. The prevailing situation has made the representative to have dull brain sans shamefulness. With the state of affairs where there is none to prick their sense and provoke the ruling members on the floor, Sessions become namesake, useless and the ultimate result of such a business is nothingness. In view of this, the House has become tsunami prone, and when it happens it inflicts irreparable damages to the State.
Firstly, the 47 DAN MLAs might have justifiable reasons to go for change of their leadership. Nevertheless, every time when leadership was changed in DAN ministry, it had to have prenatal pain as though smooth transition is anathema in NPF culture. Such crises cannot but tarnish the image of the people of Nagaland. The instability in Govt. depicts the fragility of not only the elected leaders or the party in power but of the people of Nagaland as a whole. The 47 MLAs may not realize how much embarrassment they have caused to the general mass or brought shame to the people of the State with the kind of frequent crises which are nothing but costly horse trade.
Secondly, people of Nagaland have so much respect for Raj Bhavan, Kohima. People believe that the occupant of the magnificent building on the officers’ hill at Kohima is the custodian of justice and compassion. The gubernatorial post holder is believed to be the upholder of Indian Constitution and walks within the laid down parameters. Unfortunate and unbecoming on the part of the incumbent Honourable Governor BP Acharya, the honour of Raj Bhavan was defamed as his personal involvement in the last crisis was too obvious. An honourable Governor is expected to remain above the dirty political games of MLAs and never stooped down to indulge in it and get stained. There is reason behind shouts of protest from NPF leaders and their poster campaign. The ball is now in Governor Acharya’s court to pacify and rectify so as to avoid becoming history sheeter.
Thirdly, what little I know about the ongoing contest between NPF and the breakaway group led by CM TR Zeliang relating to Whip is highly debatable. In the number game, TR Zeliang had the edge over President Dr. Shurozelie and therefore the latter was ousted. But the legal lacuna with the membership majority is, it did not split from NPF. TR Zeliang and followers continued remaining under the existing NPF and its Whip who reportedly belongs to minority group. Whereas, the law does not provide for a political party to have dual whips. I therefore believe that TR Zeliang’s whip may not have legal standing. The minority group has its legal party’s President and not less than 10 MLAs in its kitty. If not one group surrendered and reached a compromise, a longer battle line is drawn. Even here the dual whips in a single political party with which the decisive floor test being allowed by the Speaker had a toll on the tenets.
Fourthly, any MLA who becomes Speaker of NLA has to belong to a political party if not an Independent MLA is so elected. Under any circumstances, NLA cannot have colourless Speaker. While voting during Session, in the event of a tie, the Speaker will decide the issue as he votes for one. Yet, the Speaker is elected by 60 MLAs unlike the Legislature party leader who is elected by a fraction of 60. The Speaker is therefore expected to show maximum neutrality in any crisis. On the controversial issue of whip, how could the Speaker recognize and accept TR Zeliang’s whip preceding to the group’s application for recognition as a separate entity and grant of recognition thereof. Or if the group in question did not apply for separate entity, how could entity-less be allowed to have independent whip? If this flaw is proved by the law, the Speaker’s action will boomerang.
Fifthly, the former CM Dr. Shurhozelie revoked the recognition of Rongmei as an indigenous tribe of Nagaland State has immense ramifications. Had the leadership not possessed clear conscience and gut, the right decision would never come. Dr. Shurhozelie, former CM also publicly announced that he would never defend the corrupt pertaining to MKR Pillai’s scam when probed thoroughly will definitely embroil some big rats. It is reportedly known that Dr. Shurhozelie as CM restricted rampant drawings of developmental funds by his colleagues. In a brief period, he also brought much improvement in the attendance of particularly officers is the Civil Secretariat, etc. These public interest measures became the shock waves that caused the Herekain tsunami possibly. The positive reformative measures so initiated by the leadership could not be tolerated by those who want Nagaland to remain in regression caused the tsunami to sweep away the small good beginnings. Now, we have come back to square one. I am calling a spade spade.
