Luck matters, Rio's first entry into cabinet was as a 'disqualified legislator'

Nirendra Dev *

Neiphiu Rio :: Pix Courtesy - Oken Jeet Sandham (NEPS)

Not many would know Neiphiu Rio first became cabinet Minister under K L Chishi in 1990 and held the portfolio of Power. But he was a disqualified member by then. Prior to that, he was MoS Youth Affairs under SC Jamir. Rio was among the 12 to defect with the likes of TA Ngullie, Chubatemjen and Chongsen Chang.

Although Rio was among the ten disqualified by the then Speaker T N Ngullie, now deceased; among others Chongsen Chang (Chishi's Deputy CM) and likes of Tiameren Ao (Jamir's Finance Minister) were also disqualified.

Interestingly yet again, the disqualification of the ten legislators were revoked by Thenucho and all 12 legislators then formed Congress (R) and later merged into the NPC. During the NPC-Congress coalition regime after Chishi ministry was toppled, senior legislators Chubatemjan Ao and T A Ngullie remained 'unattached' MLAs for a while.

T N Ngullie's merciless disqualification scissors were actually applied to save Jamir ministry after Chongsen led his group out of the Congress fold. Luck and so called co-incidence always form important elements in politics anywhere. When Vamuzo was Chief Minister all NPC MLAs became ministers except Rio and Chubatemjen Ao.

Everytime, these two leaders met Vamuzo, they used to joke - the Chief Minister has met all his party MLAs. Incidentally, during our time Phek district produced two Speakers Z Lohe and Thenucho. From Pfutsuro assembly constituency in Phek district, there were two stalwarts in their own rights.

Kewephape Therie and Thenucho. Both remained away from the present assembly. Thenucho became headline hunter when his brother-in-law Vamuzo became Chief Minister and he became the Speaker. S C Jamir later regretted the move as he proposed non-MLA as Chief Minister and along with that handed over powerful chair of Speakership to Thenucho. This was a case of family rule, Vamuzo's critics would easily recall.

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.

From Tuensang district, Chenlom Phom had become Deputy Speaker in 1985 and then Speaker in 1987. In 1993-94, when Neiba Ndang was Speaker and Chenlom in the opposition bench; he 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 peels of laughter.

Veteran legislator T A Ngullie was another interesting leader of his time. He had potential and perhaps he could have become the first Lotha Chief Minister. But somehow things could not be handled. Jamir dropped him as Planning Minister in January 1990 and that started 'instability' in the cabinet. Jamir and T A Ngullie were good friends too and both knew each other too well.

Once Ngullie slammed Jamir in his lengthy speech on Budget and the underground policy on the floor of the assembly. Having known his 'friend' well, Jamir adopted his characteristic style to counter all the allegations. "I think, Mr Ngullie did not have a sound sleep last night," Jamir said tongue-in-cheek and the entire House broke into a peals of laughter.

The Wokha district produced several colourful and enterprising leaders. Some of them were E T Ezung, T Kikon and Rainbow Ezung. As Power Minister E T Ezung came under attack from K L Chishi for alleged corruption. Ezung did not have much to say, I suppose.

He was up on his feet and retorted sharp, "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.

Prior to this generation, in the 1960s and 1970s -- mostly all had 'Naga political movement' background. Either they were part of the negotiating team to ensure peace in 1960 and enlist statehood from 1963 or some like Vamuzo - a former Naga army Brigadier - had surrendered.

There were also flamboyant and vocal legislators like Huska Sumi. Bangjak Phom had his unique Nagamese to entertain the House and of course there were good debaters like Shurhozelie and K L Chishi.