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Instability is bane of Nagaland

PTI | ByPrakash Pillai (HindustanTimes.com), New Delhi
Feb 20, 2003 01:52 PM IST

Ever since, its first assembly polls in Jan 1964 and formation of a Ministry headed by P Shilu Ao, Political instability has been the bane of Nagaland.

Political instability has been the bane of Nagaland. Ever since, its first assembly elections in January 1964, and formation of a new Ministry headed by P Shilu Ao of the Naga National Organisation (NNO) political turmoil started as early as in December 1964 with to the en-masse resignation of all 12 opposition members belonging to the Democratic Party. The NNO had a majority in the assembly with 34 seats of the total 46 seats.

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The subsequent by-elections in 1965 to the 12 assembly segments saw the ruling Naga National Organisation (NNO) party sweeping the polls winning all 12 seats thereby forming a government without any opposition.

However, this was not enough as the Chief Minister Shilu soon faced a rebellion from his own partymen leading to his ouster following a no-confidence vote on August 11, 1966. A new Ministry headed by TN Angami was sworn in John August 14, 1966. The first Nagaland government also elected its first parliamentarian in SC Jamir. He was followed by Melhupra Vero who was elected to the Rajya Sabha.

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The number of assembly constituencies were increased to 52 during the second general election for the state held on February 6, 1969. Six more seats were given to the Tuensang region making its total number of seats to 12. The NNO won 22 seats and were bolstered with the 12 members of the Tuensang and eight independents to its fold taking its strength to 42. A 17 member NNO Ministry, headed by Hokishe Sema was sworn in on February 28, 1969.

The NNO which ruled the state ever since the first assembly elections received a jolt during the third general elections to the state assembly in February 1974 with the United Democratic Front (UDF) winning 25 seats as against 23 by the NNO in the 60 member assembly. With the support of independents UDF staked claim and formed a government headed by its leader Vizol.

The government could not last long as political crisis consumed the Vizol government and formation of a new government headed by JB Jasokie on March 10, 1975. However, this government too could not last long and President's rule was imposed in the state on May 1975. Nagaland was under President's Rule for 32 months.

The UDF again won a majority in the state during the fourth assembly elections held on November 1977 bagging 35 seats. Vizol was elected Chief Minster for the second time while SC Jamir was sworn-in as the deputy chief minister. Following a political crisis Vizol was replaced by SC Jamir as chief minister on April 1980. However, in the following June, a new NNDP Ministry headed by JB Jasokie had replaced the ULP Ministry which lasted till the next general elections.

SC Jamir of the Congress after winning majority was installed as chief minister following the fifth general elections to the state on November 17, 1982. He had to step down in favour of Hokise Sema on October 29, 1986. During the sixth assembly elections to the state the Congress won a majority and Sema was again sworn-in as the chief minister on November 1987. Sema, this time could last for only eight months as the government was reduced to a minority with 13 MLAs resigning. On August 7, 1988, the Assembly was dissolved and President's rule was imposed on Nagaland for the second time.

During the seventh general elections to the state assembly held during January 1989 the Congress again won a majority winning 36 seats. SC Jamir was sworn-in as chief minister of the state again on January 25, 1989. Jamir was replaced by KL Chishi on May 16, 1990.

ULF ministry led by Chishi was short lived as it fell after a little over a month in the middle of June, 1990, to usher in the Joint Legislature Party (JLP) ministry with Vamuzo as Chief Minister of Nagaland. It virtually left no opposition in the Assembly, as JLP was coalition of both Congress and NPC. The JLP ministry, however, came to an end when all the Congress (I) minister resigned on 4th December, 1990. Vamuzo formed another ministry December 6, 1990.
 
The Governor, Dr MM Thomas on the recommendation of chief minister Vamuzo dissolved the state legislative Assembly on March 27, 1992. President's rule was imposed in Nagaland on April 2, 1990. The Eight General election was conducted on 15th February 1993. The new Congress Government headed by SC Jamir. The ministry lasted its full term.

Once again, with a renewed mandate the Congress Ministry was installed on March 5, 1998, after winning absolute majority in the Ninth General Election. 43 Congress members returned unopposed while in 17 Assembly constituencies where election was conducted the congress won 10 seats and independent candidates won the remaining seats. The other political parties boycotted the General Election.

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