Congress, BJP as allies: It happens only in Nagaland

The Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party in a ruling alliance? Yes, this unique scenario is currently playing out in Nagaland where Congress and the BJP legislators are now part of the same ruling alliance headed by Nagaland People’s Front.

This scenario emerged after state Chief Minster T R Zeliang prevailed upon all the eight Congress MLAs in the Nagaland assembly to join the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government, much to the chagrin of the All India Congress Committee.

In the process, Zeliang, who became chief minister less than a year ago succeeding Neiphiu Rio who is now a member of the Lok Sabha, has ensured that he is no longer going to be troubled by his detractors within the NPF and that he comes out of the shadow of Rio who has remained a throne in his flesh.

Being troubled by the detractors within the NPF, who are supporters of Rio, chief minister Zeliang had sought the support of Congress MLAs to consolidate his position.

His position was uncomfortable given that only 16 of the 38 NPF legislators were with him.

The BJP, a part of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, has four MLAs who back Zeliang.

The DAN has 52 legislators in the 60-member House while the Congress had the remaining eight.

Zeliang had floated the idea of an “all-party” government to make the presence of Congress and BJP MLAs possible in the same coalition.

However, the All India Congress Committee was not amused at the show of belligerence by its eight Nagaland MLAs and suspended them from the party with effect from May 9.

The Congress MLAs were also served with show cause notices returnable within seven days. The notice and suspension order dated May 9, was issued by V Narayanasamy, AICC in-charge of north eastern states.

Congress Legislature Party leader Tokheho Yepthomi ignored the earlier AICC directive not to join the NPF-led government which has BJP as a constituent. He was sworn in as a minister.