Nagaland, with its capital city Kohima, is a landlocked state in the northeastern region of India. On December 1, 1963, Nagaland became the 16th state of India. The state has abundance of varieties of natural, cultural, and environmental resources, with agriculture being its most important economic activity, forming over 70% of its economy.
Coalition of Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party and Bharatiya Janata Party
When the results were declared on March 2, 2023, for 13th assembly elections for the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the coalition of Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party and Bharatiya Janata Party formed the state government, with Neiphiu Rio becoming the Chief Minister of Nagaland.
The pre-poll alliance partners NDPP and BJP won 25 and 12 seats, respectively, totalling 37 in the 60-member Legislative Assembly. Other political parties such as NCP won seven seats; NPP won five seats; LJP (Ram Vilas), Naga People’s Front (NPF) and RPI (Athawale) won two seats each; JD(U) got one seat and Independents won four seats.
BJP and Its Coalition Partners in Power in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura
The state of Nagaland for the second time in row is likely to have an opposition-less government, with almost all parties that won seats in the 13th assembly elections extending their unconditional support to the NDPP-BJP alliance. Neiphiu Rio was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the state for the fifth term.
In the recently concluded elections, the NDA rule was established in all three northeastern states that went to polls. BJP and its coalition partners retained power in the three states. On his two-day visit to the northeastern states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the oath taking ceremonies of new governments of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura.
Results of 13th Assembly Elections an Opportunity for Opposition-Less Government
Previously, Nagaland had opposition-less governments in 2015 and 2021. But this time, it is the first instance of an opposition-less legislative assembly before even the swearing-in ceremony of the members of house has begun. The main aim of having an opposition-less legislative assembly is to present to the electorate a commitment of all parties in the peaceful and early settlement of the Naga political problem.
All the parties extended their unconditional support to the new government by submitting a letter of support. Thus, Nagaland will have another all-part government with all the political parties in the state supporting the winning NDPP-BJP alliance.
An Opposition-Less Government Boosts No Checks and Balances
An opposition-less government will pave the way for development work to be carried with the support of all the parties. But if there are no checks and balances, there will not be any authority to control and investigate the work being done for the people or the activities are in accordance of democratic will of the people or its another way of corruption being played out with few people of authority getting more powerful with undemocratic practices.
It should not be seen that all the parties are coming together for wealth and position but they are here to provide solution or resolve the long pending Naga political issue. And, the people also want their electoral representative to put a check on the activities of the government to oversee whether correct policies are implemented for development of the state and providing enough opportunities for people.
