Hokishe survived two No-Trust motions, first CM Shilu Ao was voted out in 1966
New Delhi
The third assembly was witness to 'defections' and gross political instability. The first Vizol ministry took over reins on Feb 24, 1974. K V Keditsu was elected Speaker of the House.
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| Illustrious Hokishe with Rajiv Gandhi |
But owing to defections, the Vizol's UDF ministry had to step aside on March 10, 1975 and an NNO ministry led by J B Jasokie (reportedly an intimate friend of Hokishe) took charge the same day.
Rokonicha, a known name in regional politics, from Medziphema (Ghaspani area) was elected Deputy Speaker on March 17, 1975. But he resigned the next day.
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| S C Jamir : Blogger and two other 'Chuba' journos - 1998 |
In fact, the period between March 18 and 20th (1975) saw a series of defection and shifting of political loyalties. That was the era in Delhi and elsewhere - intellectuals and media persons joked about the 'political headhunting' in Nagaland -- albeit a reference tothe tradition of head hunting !!Mark the date... in June 1975 -- Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency.
J B Jasokie, the senior Angami leader, from Kohima town was perhaps the only Chief Minister who complained in the assembly that seven of his MLAs and three of his ministers were 'detained' by unscrupulous elements. Thus they could not come to the House.
The first Chief Minister P Shilu Ao was voted out on Aug 11, 1966
when the no confidence motion against the government was carried through.
T N Angami was Speaker and he was later elected as Shilu Ao's successor.
The students of politics should note that in the general election to the second Nagaland legislative assembly held in February 1969, only 40 members were elected.
The Tuensang Regional Council selected 12 members to represent Tuensang district.
On Feb 16, 1969, a 16-member ministry headed by Hokishe Sema had assumed office.
K V Keditsu was the pro-tem Speaker and 51 members took oath on March 6, 1969.
Notably, K Shikhu, the Speaker of the first legislative assembly, was unanimously re-elected Speaker of the second Nagaland legislative assembly.
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| Chishi - 2022 'explaining layers of corruption' peeling an onion |
In the subsequent period on March 10, 1969, K V Keditsu was elected Deputy Speaker.
In fact, during the stint of the second Nagaland assembly, no confidence motion against
Hokishe Sema ministry was taken up twice -- Nov 28, 1972 and later Sept 8, 1973.
Much to the credit of Hokishe's handling of politics - on both the occasions, the Chief
Minister survived as the two no-trust motions were rejected.
Incidentally, in the 1990s - the Phek district produced two Speakers Z Lohe and Thenucho.
From the Pfutsuro assembly constituency in Phek district, there were two
stalwarts in their own rights. Kewephape Therie and Thenucho. Thenucho became headline hunter when his brother-in-law Vamuzo became Nagaland's only 'non-MLA' Chief Minister and he became the Speaker.
Needless to add, S C Jamir later regretted the move as he had proposed "the non-MLA Vamuzo" as the Chief Minister and along with that handed over the powerful chair of Speakership to Thenucho. This was a case of family rule, Vamuzo's critics would easily recall.
But it is also true Jamir kins were always part of the Congress limelight in the corridors of power.
Thenucho holds a distinct record of disqualifying as many as 15
legislators. However, in 1993 assembly polls, he was humbled by Therie.
Thenucho also survived a major ambush and attempt on his life when he was
traveling to Mon to address Independence Day speech. His staff from the Assembly secretariat and a few security personnel lost their lives.
Thenucho also served as a key minister under Neiphiu Rio and it was to the good luckof Azo Nienu that Rio developed differences with both Therie and Thenucho.
However, Azo is now an NPF die-hard regionalist and K G Kenye has made a bigcomeback.
From the Tuensang district, Chenlom Phom had become Deputy Speaker in 1985 and
then Speaker in 1987. In 1993-94, when Neiba Ndang was the Speaker and Chenlom in the opposition
bench; he had requested the chair to give him additional time in the name of a "former Speaker".
"Eneka na koribi, former Speaker naam teh time dibi" - he had said, throwing the entire House into peals of laughter.
E T Ezung was the Nagaland assembly Speaker in the mid-eighties. In 1990 as Power Minister underJamir, he had come under attack from the then Leader of the Opposition K L Chishi.
Ezung was up on his feet and retorted sharply, "Speaker Sir, I can assure you one thing;I will certainly take action against the Chief Engineer". Several members and those in the gallery could guess the catch. The Chief Engineer, Power was then a kin of K L Chishi.
This was the period when T N Ngullie was the Speaker. Later when the Jamir Ministry was reduced to a minority. Ngullie as the Speaker had disqualified 10 members including Neiphiu Rio.
However, after Thenucho became Speaker --- all the 10 disqualified MLAs were given back their membership.But the irony is that after a few months, Thenucho disqualified 15 legislators.
In the 1960s and 1970s -- most Naga leaders had 'Naga political movement'
background. Either they were part of the negotiating team to ensure peace
in 1960 and enlist statehood or there was someone like Vamuzo - a former Naga army Brigadier - who had surrendered.
There were also flamboyant and vocal legislators like Huska Sumi. Bangjak
Phom had his unique Nagamese to entertain the House.
Chishi had the lung power and debating skills that no one could match. On one occasion as he was speakingabout 'alleged corruption' against the Jamir ministry and there was thunder lightning, he quipped: "Honourable Speaker Sir even Heaven agrees there is corruption in Nagaland".
When T N Ngullie was conducting the House proceedings and the Congress Govt in Goa was toppled after the Speaker there joined the opposition camp; Chishi told T N Ngullie : "Speaker Sir,Goa Speaker has joined the opposition and he will be Chief Minister tomorrow. You are still sitting there".
No story of the Nagaland assembly can be complete without reference to two political rivals and 'friends'-- S C Jamir and Vamuzo. Jamir would not mind saying, "I don't know why this dull fellow is sitting here" and Vamuzo would counter - "You are a habitual liar". And believe it - within minutes they both would laugh at each other.
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| Blogger and Late Vamuzo: 1994-95 'Naga Banner' newspaper office reviewing a copy of 'Nagaland Post' |
Real leaders knew there was nothing personal about many things in public life !
ends
ZZZZZZ
Nagaland People's Front under the leadership of Phek legislator Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu retains hold in the district.
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| Azo Nienu |
NPF to form the Committee with Independent. This is a much needed face saver for the second oldest regional outfit in India after DMK in far off --- which was also almost written off.
Azo missed out party presidentship after veteran regionalist Shurhozelie took retirement in October last year.
The Chakhesang Nagas have been traditionally pro-regional but during heydays of Congress have often sent a few Congress legislators from Phek town, Pfutsero and also Chizami.
In another politically sensitive Chazouba in Phek distroct Independents won 5 and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's NDPP - 4.
In all probability, IND likely to form ULB Committee.
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| Meluri stakeholders and players |
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| Pfutsero town. Independents likely to form |
After unexpected and unprecedented success of Congress in recent Lok Sabha polls against NDPP-BJP nominee, all sorts of interpretation, misinterpretation and commentaries were flooded and hence there was an added interest for ULB polls in Nagaland.
Women reservation was also opposed for long resulting in angry rebuke for the state government from the Supreme Court. Finally, as they put it -- all is well that ends well.
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| Blogger with Angami Nagas during Hornbill Fest |
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