Kohima, July 14: Chief minister Neiphiu Rio is pulling out all stops to prevent Nagaland from going the Arunachal Pradesh way. Yesterday, at a get-together of legislators of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), called by Rio ostensibly to ward off a coup, the new ministers tried to calm ruffled feathers.
Earlier this month, Rio picked 12 ministers out of the 35 for the new council of ministers adhering to the provisions of the 97th constitutional amendment.
Some senior ministers from alliance partners such as the BJP and the Janata Dal (United) were left out, as were a few from Rio?s own Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF).
At yesterday?s gathering, the ministers spoke to the legislators who lost out, to cool frayed nerves amid speculation that some of the dissatisfied ones may be plotting to dethrone Rio.
All members of the ruling coalition participated in the meeting except finance minister K. Therie who is away in Delhi and health minister Thenucho who is in Bangkok on an official tour.
A day after the new council was formed, former agriculture minister Huska Sumi of the Janata Dal (U) had announced that his party would sever links with DAN. However, his lone fellow legislator and then minister for higher education Deo Nukhu opposed it as he was made deputy chairman of the state planning board, equivalent to a cabinet rank.
Former power minister Tiameren Aier was left out but T.M. Lotha and Imtilemba Sangtam of the BJP were included in the council. Former BJP minister M.C. Konyak was made chairman of the state-owned Marcofed.
Senior leaders like Aier and Huska sulked but could do precious little without the support of the junior legislators who have refused to quit their new positions.
But the clear mirror of the DAN has apparently cracked.
?In a family, small problems do crop up but they are also resolved,? said Sh?rhozelie Liezietsu, who took over the education portfolio.
He was minister for planning and urban development before the downsizing of the ministry and retains urban development.