Nagaland: 3 Ministers And 24 Govt Officials Resign, Worsening The Ongoing Political Crisis

The political crisis in the North-eastern state of Nagaland has deepened as there are no signs of letting up by either of the warring factions of the present and the former Chief Ministers in the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) as reported by Firstpost.

What is the current turmoil about?

At the crux of the crisis is the power struggle between Chief Minister Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and the state’s former Chief Minister TR Zeliang. The current crisis started when ex-Nagaland CM, TR Zeliang on 8 July, staked his claim to form the government. He argued that he enjoyed the support of 41 of the 59 MLAs after a majority of ruling NPF legislators rebelled against CM Liezietsu.

Charges of nepotism have been brought up against the present CM because he had doled out his son, Khriehu the post of an advisor with Cabinet. Although Khriehu declined the position, the tensions between the two camps have not reduced.

On 9 July, Chief Minister Liezietsu had recommended the Governor PB Acharya to remove Home Minister Yanthungo Patton, Power Minister Kipili Sangtam, National Highway and Political Affairs Minister G Kaito Aye, Forest and Environment and Climate Change Minister Imkong L Imchen from the Cabinet.

Governor PB Acharya has asked Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly on 15 July.

The background

The unrest in Nagaland had started off in January 2017. The then CM Zeliang had decided to hold civic polls with 33 percent reservation for women. This move was unanimously opposed by the tribal bodies the state claiming that the government order was not in consonance to their traditions that did not allow women to take up leadership roles.

The unrest in Nagaland had started off in January 2017. The then CM Zeliang had decided to hold civic polls with 33 percent reservation for women. This move was unanimously opposed by the tribal bodies the state claiming that the government order was not in consonance to their traditions that did not allow women to take up leadership roles.

Violent protests from tribal communities were witnessed on Nagaland’s streets from tribal communities, from 31 January onwards. This was in reaction to the state government’s decision to hold urban local bodies’ (ULB) election with 33 percent reservation for women. This also resulted in the death of three persons in police firing.

The protests gained such momentum that Nagaland remained shut for 18 days and Zeling had to relent to public pressure. He finally resigned on 19 February.

Present situation

As of now, three Ministers, three Advisors, one Chairman and twenty Parliamentary Secretaries have submitted their resignation letters to the CM Liezietsu.

The current political furore in Nagaland is taking place at a time when the by-elections are knocking on the doors and Liezietsu is prepping up to contest from Northern Angami-I assembly constituency.