Is Rio really to leave Nagaland politics?
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Dimapur, January 29 2014:
Two major political ripples are sweeping Nagaland today with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio reportedly contemplating to resign from his post to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
Is it the confirmed stand that Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will contest the Lok Sabha poll? And if that is the case, then who will replace him as the Chief Minister? .
Talking to Newmai News Network today in Dimapur, T.L.Meri, who is the vice president of Naga People's Front (NPF), said the party is opposing to the idea of Neiphiu Rio joining the national politics.
But when queried whether the Chief Minister had ever expressed at any point of time, his willingness to contest the Lok Sabha poll, T.L.Meri said, "Last year such indication was noticed and the party opposed the idea" .
In the even of Neiphiu Rio going to the national politics, deciding the name of his successor will be a hot-case to handle.
The charismatic personality and towering figure of Neiphiu Rio have been the main reasons for the NPF flock to remain intact for the past ten years since 2003 .
Few names have been speculated to take the Chief Minister's kursi if Neiphiu Rio joins the national politics.
Planning Minister TR Zeliang, Home Minister Kaito and former Home Minister Imkong I Imchen are some probable names to succeed Rio.
It is worth recalling here that the speculations of Neiphiu Rio joining the national politics have been doing the round ever since The Telegraph daily made a report about it on August 2 last year.
On August 2, Neiphiu Rio had told Nishit Dholabhai of The Telegraph daily in New Delhi, "We are still discussing it within the party but I would like to come to New Delhi," hinting to shift his base of politics from Nagaland to the national capital.
Meanwhile, attempts to contact Abu Metha, the media advisor of the Nagaland Chief Minister for confirmation by NNN proved futile today.