Naga CM quits over quota
■ TRIBALS WERE opposing the implementation of 33 per cent quota to women in local body elections.
Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang resigned on Sunday against the backdrop of widespread protests triggered by the government’s decision to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in urban local bodies. The government later cancelled the elections.
Mr Neiphiu Rio, former chief minister and sole MP from the state, appeared to be the front-runner, though sources in the ruling Nagaland People's Front said Mr Zeliang was lobbying for his party president Shürhozelie Liezietsu.
NPF legislators will meet here on Monday, followed by a meeting of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland at 11 am. In the 60-member Assembly, Mr Rio is said to have the support of 49 MLAs, including eight Independents. At least three MLAs, including Speaker Chotisuh Sazo, are with Mr Liezitsu. The BJP has four MLAs.
Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang resigned on Sunday against the backdrop of widespread protests triggered by the government's decision to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in urban local bodies.
In Tamil Nadu style politics, the main body of legislators was kept at a resort in Kaziranga in Assam.
They reached Kohima after a marathon meeting with Mr Rio.
Nagaland has been in turmoil since January after the Zeliang government decided to hold local body elections in 12 towns across the state giving 33 per cent reservation to women.
Tribal groups under the banner of Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), that were opposing the implementation of reservations, intensified their agitation after Mr Zeliang refused to accede to their demand and step down.
The government in response to their demand declared the entire process of urban local bodies election with 33 per cent reservation for women as null and void. It also transferred police personnel involved in the January 31 police firing on the protesters, leading to the killing of two youths in Dimapur.
However, an intervention from New Delhi changed the political scenario within hours on February 17, when 42 legislators — NPF and independent — switched loyalty in favour of Mr Rio, a three time former chief minister. Mr Rio who was camping in Kohima and meeting legislators to muster support to take over the reins again, refused to make any comment and said that he was waiting for NPF legislature party meeting on Monday.
Though Mr Zeliang was expected to meet legislators at Kaziranga, he chose to meet them at Kohima. Sources close to Mr Zeliang said that the Chief Minister had agreed to a smooth transition of power to Mr Rio in New Delhi.
However, after his meeting with Mr Liezietsu in Kohima and discussion with some central BJP leaders, he is believed to have decided to take a chance to create consensus in favour of the NPF president. Both camps were tight-lipped about their next move on Monday.