"Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland"
Lotus party gets 'acting CM' status
Nirendra Dev *
In an unprecedented development Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday, Jan 8th, nominated his deputy CM Yanthungo Patton to run the show during his 'leave period'.
"I will be out of station with effect from 8th Jan 2025. During my absence Shri Y Patton (Deputy Chief Minister) shall look after the affairs of the state," Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said in a brief communique - official letter No. -- CMN/12/N/2025)
Protocol wise - T R Zeliang is No. 2 in the cabinet and also a former Chief Minister and is from Rio's party NDPP.
But the 'fate' benefited Patton and that has given him the 'responsibility'. So technically a BJP legislator will rule Nagaland (albeit) temporarily -- that is during the leave period of the Chief Minister Rio.
Lotus blooms !
In the 2023 assembly polls, after contesting only 20 seats in the 60-member assembly, it had won 12. The remaining 40 were left for Rio-led NDPP.
In February 2023 'e-pao.net' carried a piece wherein I wrote:
"Making political decisions means taking responsibility in an environment of uncertainty. This is something T R Zeliang has lacked. Fortune favoured him in 2014 when NPF chief Shurhozelie reportedly favoured him to succeed Neiphiu Rio when the latter moved as Lok Sabha MP.
It was said Rio even had toyed with names such as Noke and G Kaito. However, the golden opportunity that came to T R Zeliang could not be retained due to several mistakes.
Of course once he tied up 'strategically' with Shurhozelie and abandoned Rio in the ruthless world of Lutyen's, he should have examined pros and cons to draw up future plans. This was lacking and gradually the 'ivory tower' games started to marginalise Rio.
(see old story here)
Now back to Future :
In power games, they say -- success may be high when dangers/threats are real; but these challenges also enhance the sense of adventure. Normally, a 'Man of the year' title is chosen at the end of the calendar year. But let us break the rule this time.
As of now for the year 2025 -- according to my humble understanding - the 'Man or at least News Maker of the Season' is Y Patton. He should take the charge as a God-sent responsibility and try to deliver. With merely four seats in the assembly Lothas so far did not get the opportunity to be the Chief Minister.
The BJP, chief minister Rio and Patton's good luck have all combined together to give him the opportunity. It is with him that he has to make it 'golden' !!
He should draw his priorities clearly -- in total understanding with Rio's very own 'opposition-less Govt, ministers and MLAs and of course the political leadership in Delhi and deliver.
The Naga society has perhaps not yet realized the greatness of a role a Neta can play. It is up to Y Patton now to prove the people otherwise.
* Nirendra Dev wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer is based at New Delhi and can be contacted at nirendelhi(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on January 15 2025.
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