Dr. Maongsangba
The menace of defection is a national phenomenon in the Indian political system that appeared conspicuously in the post 1967 General Elections in India. The emergence of migratory legislators in the Indian political scene led to collapse of many Governments. The case of defections was reported even before the Fourth General Elections, but it did not attract the attention of the public nor does it affect the stability of the Government. The problems of individual defection was brought under control to a certain extend by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment, 1985. But the floodgate of bulk defection was legitimized by the Act. Taking recourse to these loopholes in the Act, defection of legislators continued unabated both at the national as well as in the state level. It was during the fag end of NDA tenure that Vajpayee brought about the 91st Constitutional amendment and a more stringent Anti- defection was put in place in 2003.
Even in Nagaland, all political party without exception, has been affected by this malady in the unbridle quest for power and offices; and there seems to be no stigma attach to party hoping. With the specter of a more stringent anti–defection Law 2003, looming large, seven Legislators in Nagaland deserted the Congress and joined the bandwagons of the ruling NPF, giving the much-needed respite to the DAN Government. This is not an isolated case of defection in Nagaland. Defection has been an integral part of Naga politics, a rule rather than an exception. All the 7 converts were welcome with an open arm by the DAN dispensation and suitably rewarded individually. Consider this- one was inducted as a Cabinet Minister with a juicy Portfolio. Second was honored with membership of Loksabha. Third was elevated to the House of Elders. The remaining VIPs were made Parliamentary Secretaries. Well, this was well within the ambit of Anti- Defection law 1985. There is no doubt about it. But the larger issue is the dimension of political morality. The most abominable act of defection is that legislators on getting elected, on the strength of Party Organization, Party resources and financial backing of the party more often than not, without compunction, crosses over to another Party and join forces with their opponents.
Let me recapitulate the history of defection in late 80s and the early 90s that destabilized the democratically elected government. The Congress for the first time in its electoral history scored an absolute majority of 34 seats in 1987. Hokishe became Chief Minister for the third time. But in no time, 13 Congress MLAs rebelled against his style of functioning, walked out of the CLP; joined hands with opposition NNDP and formed the Joint Regional Legislature Party (JRLP). The JRLP with a majority support in the House stake claimed to form an alternative Government. The Governor, General KV Krishna Rao played spoilsport and did not allowed the JRLP to form the Government but chose to dissolve the House and imposed President’s Rule in the state. That was 7th May 1988. This misadventure of NNDP and 13 breakaway Congress (JRLP) led to the formation of NPC.
The opportunism of the Legislators, cutting across party line came to the fore in the wake of 1989 General elections. Take a look. SC Jamir formed the Congress Govt in 1989. After eight months or so, KL Chishi took over the reins of power. Again after a month, the dumbstruck People in Nagaland woke up one fine morning to find a group of People mourning over the premature demise of Chishi’s Govt and elevation of Vamuzo to the hot Seat. A classic case of old wind in a new bottle! Between 1989-1992, almost all the elected Legislators had become Minister at one point of time or other. Three became Chief Minister. Three went on to become Deputy Chief Minister. All political party enjoyed power. Almost one third of Legislators were disqualified from the membership of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. A classic case of politician gravitating towards power centres and archetypal case of defectors paradise no?
Let me paraphrase. The Congress received a clear mandate in the poll-1989 with 36 seats in its kitty. SC Jamir who got a marching order from the Congress high Command in October 1986 became the Chief Minister for the third time. This time round, 10 Congress dissidents MLA walked out from the CLP, joined forces with the Opposition, thereby reducing Jamir’s government to a minority. The migrated Congress MLAs along with 24 NPC MLAs propped up K.L Chishi, as the Chief Minister. This conglomeration was called the United Legislature Party (ULP). The senior most defectors, late C.Chongsen went on to become the Deputy Chief Minister. All the Congress deserters found a berth in the Ministry.
The NPC Legislators enacted the second part of the episode. 17 NPC MLA withdrew support to the Chishi’s Ministry; bid adieu to the ULP and joined hands with the Congress to formed the Joint Legislature Party (JLP). The most intriguing part of this episode was that NPC in connivance with their bete noire Congress assiduously schemed the ouster of K.L Chishi from the office. Vamuzo, a hardcore regionalist, who was down and out at that point of time, was resurrected and offered the Chief Ministership in a platter by the Congress. The Congress and NPC (minus KL Chishi) cobbled a strange Coalition Government known as Joint Legislature Party (JLP), under the leadership of Late Vamuzo. He offered the post of Deputy Chief Minister to IK Sema, and some senior members of the Congress were inducted as Ministers.
Now over to the third episode: Vamuzo became more assertive after his election to the assembly, uncontested, from Chizami assembly constituency. It became apparent that the JLP government was on the rocks, so much so that the short spell of marriage of convenience between the two strange bedfellows ended in divorce. Vamuzo continued in office as Chief Minister regardless. Congress realized that Opposition is indispensable in a parliamentary democracy and occupied the Opposition Bench. The Congress played the role of a responsible Opposition in all earnest, and work overtime to topple the NPC Government. Vamuzo got wind of the political maneuvering and in an unprecentended countermove recommended the dissolution of the assembly to pre-empt the Congress plan. Dr.M.M Thomas, the then Governor who reportedly had a personal equation with Chief Minister dissolved the House and thus, eventually brought the curtain down on the “Political Tamasa” (read) President’s Rule on 7th April 1992. All the dramatis personae that was instrumental in bringing down the Congress government in 1989 made a beeline to the Congress camp begging for Congress ticket in General Election- 1993.
In Nagaland, SC Jamir had sat a record, a rare distinction; of being the only Chief Minister to have completed two consecutive terms in office. Late Hokishe is also one, who managed to complete a full year term in office. Incidentally, both became Governor. The present incumbent is also inching towards to achieve the same fate as that of the two titans and in all probability, walk away with the Bronze Medal.
But two towering personality in Naga politics who standout and remained loyal to their Party and unwavered in their principles in the face of rampant scramble for power and position in a faction-ridden Naga politics is--RC Chitten Jamir and Dr. Shurhozelie. The former is a Congress perennial- a confidant of late Mrs Gandhi, former State Congress Chief, former Deputy Chief Minister, former member SC & ST Commission and Party ideologue in the state, served four terms in the State Legislature and now gracefully retired from electoral politics.
Dr. Shurhozelie is also one rare Naga politician, who never had ever crossed floor in his entire political career, spanning over forty years. He is a veteran regional party stalwart, the present NPF Chief, as well as the Minister for Higher Education, a renowned author, and without an iota of doubt, the Party ideologue. He lost only once in assembly elections during his entire political career. He also tried his hand in Parliamentary politics in 1999, but Congress steamrolled his plan. But winning and losing is a part and parcel of electoral politics. The duo of Chitten and Shurho deserve kudos! The current younger crop of politicians would do well to emulate and follow in their footsteps.
