It’s official: Noke withdraws in interest of unity, stability

The suspense over the successor of Neiphiu Rio as the next Chief Minister has been laid to rest with senior most NPF legislator and Minister for PHED, Noke Wangnao, officially withdrawing his candidature.

“The ongoing political impasse over the post of Chief Minister has been of deep concern for me, and my sympathizers,” stated Wangnao in a letter to NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, and Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio. He informed that the decision was taken after a series of consultations with Konyak Legislators, Members of the ENLU and other Members of the NPF “who are in station,” as well as in “the greater interest of the unity of the party, the stability of the government and the larger interest of the people of the State.”

“As requested by them, (I) have decided to withdraw my candidature for the post of the Chief Minister after Neiphiu Rio relinquishes office of the Chief Minister. I hope that my gesture will pave way or a smooth transition of power which the need arises,” he wrote.

With Wangnao’s withdrawal, the path has been paved for Minister for Planning & Co-ordination, TR Zeliang, to take over as Chief Minister of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN-III) comprising of the NPF, BJP and JD (U), if Rio goes to New Delhi.

Reliable sources from Kohima said NLA Speaker, Chotisuh Sazo, left Monday afternoon from Kohima to hand over Wangnao’s withdrawal letter to TR Zeliang’s camp, presently camping at Iora Retreat, Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

In recent weeks, NPF witnessed internal crisis after Neiphiu Rio decided to forfeit the CM’s post and contested the just concluded LS election. NPF sources disclosed that initially there were three senior NPF legislators in the race for the next CM including Home minister Kaito Sema besides Wangnao and Zeliang.

After Sema’s reported withdrawal from the race, the heat was upped with rumors of “horse trading” and “portfolio allocation” doing the rounds to bag the CM’s seat, even before Rio has abandoned it.

“The turn of events must have hurt Rio as it was like delivering a coffin to a person before his actual demise. After providing stability to NPF-led DAN for 11 years, the present tussle among some NPF legislators and partymen in the race to choose the next CM is what Rio would least expect,” said an NPF loyalist.

Wangnao’s withdrawal comes against the backdrop of the “latest headcount” among the 38 NPF legislators, out of which 27 had reportedly appended their signatures in favour of Zeliang. In addition, at least three MLAs from NCP and all eight Independent MLAs joined the TR Zeliang camp. When contacted, convenor of Independent MLAs Forum, Thomas Lotha, who is also camping at the Kaziranga resort, informed over phone that all 8 Independent MLAs had decided to support Zeliang for the sake of “political stability.”

“We were all with Rio but since he is expected to go to Delhi, we Independent MLAs also have to think about our survival here. The main issue is not with us but among the NPF legislators. Since TR Zeliang has the command of 27 NPF legislators, we have to back the majority group for political stability. After all, I think none of us legislators are ready to face another election,” Lotha added.

With the odds stacked against Wangnao, it was reported that some senior NPF cabinet ministers including Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio held a series of meetings today in Kohima. With the decks now cleared, sources informed that the Kaziranga campers would be returning Tuesday.

Rio welcomes Noke’s decision
Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, has welcomed the decision of Noke Wangnao to “withdraw his candidature” for the post of CM “if I am elected as an MP and I relinquish the post.”

“The mature decision taken by him will now pave the way for a smooth transition, and ensure the togetherness of the party and the government,” Rio stated in a press note. He remained hopeful that Wangnao’s withdrawal from the “leadership race” will further strengthen the party “as we all strive collectively to provide a stable government that will continue to work towards economic development and achievement of permanent peace.”

Appreciating Wangnao’s “noble gesture” that has shown “his maturity in leadership and his deep concern and care of the regional party and the people of the State,” Rio remained confident that the new leadership “will be able to provide good governance to all sections of the people.” He assured all rank and file of the party and all legislators of the DAN his “fullest cooperation” as they “strive together to deliver the goods to the people and continue to work towards achievement of an honorable political solution that will usher in permanent peace.”