The recent appointment of chairmen of the various DPDBs and SDPDBs indicates that the NDPP-BJP coalition is going to accommodate the other political parties in the government, a clear move towards giving the state another opposition-less government yet again. While all the political parties as well as independents have given their letter of support to the NDPP-BJP government, no formal announcement has yet been made to form the oppositionless-government. However, as the first session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly resumes on Monday, there are speculations that the Neiphiu Rio led government will announce the formation of the oppositionless government. The ongoing session will conclude on Tuesday.
The Governor of Nagaland had on 25 March appointed the chairman of the various District Planning and Development Boards as well as the Sub Division Planning and Development Boards.
The chairman of the DPDBs and SDPDBs are conventionally members of the ruling dispensation. Interestingly, however, at least 5 of the 16 DPDBs have been appointed non NDPP-BJP legislators as their chairmen. So also, 2 out of the 5 SDPDBs have non NDPP-BJP legislators as chairmen.
Pongshi Phom of NCP is the chairman of Longleng DPDB, Imtichoba Chang of RPI(A) is the chairman of Tuensang DPDB, Kipili Sangtam of NPP is the chairman of Kiphire DPDB, P Longon of NCP is the chairman of Noklak DPDB and Jwenga Seb of JDU is the chairman of Tseminyu DPDB.
Likewise, Naiba Konyak of LJP (RV) is the chairman of Tobu SDPDB while Dr Sukhato Sema, also of LJP (RV) is the chairman of Pughoboto SDPDB.
The two NPF MLAs as well as the 4 independent MLAs were not appointed, though.
It may be mentioned that this is the first time that Nagaland is witnessing the presence of so many political parties in the state Assembly. The pre-poll alliance partners – NDPP-BJP won 25 and 12 seats respectively, totaling 37 in the 60-member House.
Other political parties include NCP with 7 seats, NPP – 5, LJP (Ram Vilas), Naga People’s Front (NPF) and RPI (Athawale) – 2 each, JD(U) – 1 and Independents – 4. LJP(RV) and RPI (Athawale) are newbies in the State politics.