CM Chang’s resignation triggers speculations

Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 20

The sudden “resignation” of newly inducted Minister of School Education and Lok Sabha MP, CM Chang, from the Nagaland Legislative Assembly has triggered political speculations on possible reasons for his resignation.

Though the Speaker of the Assembly is yet to officially announce the resignation of CM Chang from the House, it is reported that Chang, who took oath of office on March 5, tendered his resignation to the Speaker on March 14, the opening day of the first session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.  

The most probable speculation is that the resignation is an intricate political game of the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) to avoid the impending two Lok Sabha elections within a span of one year as well as giving Chang a well-timed opportunity to re-enter the Assembly and claim his cabinet berth.

But with rumblings over allocation of cabinet berths still rocking the NPF ship, the game, if correct, might not go too well with many senior party legislators who have been denied cabinet berths.

If the Lok Sabha MP did not resign from the Assembly, then he would have to quit as MP within six months in which case by-election to the state’s lone Lok Sabha seat would have to be conducted by September or October, 2013. Since the term of the current 15th Lok Sabha ends by May 2014, Nagaland would, along with other states, go for the country-wide general election by April-May next year.

This would mean the state will witness two Lok Sabha elections in a span of one year, costly exercises which a financially crunched state like Nagaland can little afford.

However, if Chang resigns from the Assembly and retains the Lok Sabha seat, then the question of two Lok Sabha elections in one year will not arise. Besides, as reportedly permitted by election law, Chang can still remain as School Education minister for six months even if he resigns from the Assembly.

“He can remain as Minister till August-September 2013, then from September onwards perform his duty as MP till April-May 2014, by which time bye-election to his 51 Noksen Assembly constituency would likely take place. With the ruling NPF party in comfortable majority, Chang’s victory in the 51 Noksen A/C by-election and subsequent re-entry into the state Assembly is a foregone conclusion”, a political observer said. Despite repeated attempts, the Lok Sabha MP could not be contacted for his comments.