Political instability has roots in first assembly itself

When Young Turks Vamuzo, Chishi, Imchalemna served in one ministry

New Delhi

Instability reigned supreme in Nagaland politics practically from the word go.

Name the Chief Minister under whom all Young Turks of their time -
Vamuzo, Shurhozelie, K L Chishi, Imchalemba, Dalle Namo served as ministers.

Yes, that was veteran J B Jasokie. 

The senior Angami leader was perhaps the only Chief Minister who complained
in the assembly that 7 MLAs and three of his ministers were 'detained' by unscrupulous elements and 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. 

In the subsequent period on March 10, 1969, K V Keditsu was elected Deputy Speaker, old records say.

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. 

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.

But owing to defections, the Vizol's UDF ministry stepped down 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, was elected Deputy Speaker on March 17, 1975.

But he resigned the next day. In fact, the period between March 18 and 20th (1975) saw a series of defection and shifting of political loyalties.

The Jasokie ministry was to seek a vote of confidence on March 20, 1975.

Records say before taking up the trial of strength, the Chief Minister instead raised a Point of Order

 and claimed three of his ministers and seven MLAs were "forcibly detained" by the opposition party.

The trust motion could not be taken up and on March 22, 1975, the House was put under suspended

animation.

In the ultimate, on May 20,1975, the assembly was dissolved. The fourth assembly was formed in 1977 and regionalist Vizol again took over the reins of administration on Nov 25, 1977. The Vizol ministry had 12 members and K Vitsonel was elected Speaker while Rainbow Ezung became the Deputy Speaker.

And then 'entered' the Jamir phase of Nagaland politics. S C Jamir, who was depuy CM, was dropped by Chief Minister Vizol on Oct 5, 1979.

The power politics shenanigans were back in action and the Vizol ministry was soon reduced to a minority. On April 18, 1980, Vizol quit.

Protagonist of nationalism, Hokishe with Rajiv 

The same day, the ULP ministry headed by Jamir took charge. Two of his compatriots were T A Ngullie and Dr Setu Legise.  

On April 21, 1980, Bendangtoshi was sworn in as a minister. The Jamir ministry was further expanded on April 28th and the new ministers were - H Sao Chang, M Kariba, L Mero, Toshi Hanso, Longyiem Konyak, K Shikhu and I Khehoto Sema (cabinet ministers).

T Imtimeren, Deblal mech, Horangshe and Ghutoshe Seme also joined the ministry as the Ministers of State.

But this was also short lived and Jamir also quit without facing the trial of strength. 

On June 5, 1980, a 15-member NNDP ministry headed by J B Jasokie again returned at the helm of affairs.

His ministry had Vamuzo as number 2 in the cabinet and there were several known players T Kikon, Shurhozelie, Noke, Sentichuba, K L Chishi, M Murry, Imchalemba, Dalle Namo and Dr Setu Legise.

Yopikyu was sworn in as MoS. In subsequent expansion, T P Manlem, Vejoy Vero and Chenlom Phom were also accommodated as Ministers of State.

The "Jamir's style of politics" was slowly making inroads in the corridors of power. On Sept 15, 1981, a No trust motion against the Jasokie ministry was moved. The motion plea was signed by Jamir and 22 others. 

But Jamir's detractors also knew how to strike back, and the motion was rejected on Sept 17, 1981.

The general elections to the fifth assembly was held in November 1982 and a ministry headed by Jamir

assumed charge on Nov 17, 1982.

There were several high drama in this House. The no confidence motion against Speaker Chongsen Chang

was brought on March 30, 1984, but it was later withdrawn by the members. Chongsen later joined the ministry.

E  T Ezung  became the Speaker.

On June 24, 1985, a motion of no confidence motion was moved by the Leader of the Opposition Vamuzo and 14 

others against the Jamir government. It was taken up the next day (June 25th) but it was rejected by the House.

Still, the stability remained illusive. On Oct 29, 1986, the Chief Minister Jamir resigned and Hokishe Sema, who was

then Rajya Sabha member, assumed office from Oct 29, 1986 ostensibly at the orders of Congress high

command.

This was the neo-modern stage of Nagaland politics as in Delhi, the Congress was headed by 

Rajiv Gandhi and despite popularity things started moving in favour of Janata parivar at

the national level.

Politics is a continuous process, and more so at the later stages.

ends