Nagaland hopes to see Neiphiu Rio in Modi team

KOHIMA: Former Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio missing a berth in the Narendra Modi cabinet has evoked mixed reactions in the state.However, a cross section of people are still hopeful of Rio's inclusion in the Modi ministry.Rio, who won the state's lone Lok Sabha seat, is also the chairman of North East Regional Political Front (NEPRF). Rio's exclusion has become a hot topic of debate on the social media and even a talking point in Nagaland on Tuesday.The Naga People's Front (NPF)-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government said the BJP-led NDA should believe in coalition 'dharma' and demanded Rio's inclusion in the cabinet .Of the ministers sworn in on Monday, 41 were from BJP, while NDA allies - Shiv Sena, TDP, LJP, SAD and RLSP - got one berth each.NPF's press secretary Siluba Mar said, "It is not a healthy politics in our country and our people should have the patience to see what happens in future".A source close to Rio said, "We are disappointed. This is not the end. Anything can happen in politics." The BJP unit in Nagaland said "it is the prerogative of the Prime minister to pick his cabinet members."According to rules, a council of ministers can constitute 15 per cent of the total strength of the LS, which is 82 ministers in a house of 543. There is still hope that the Modi government can accommodate another 36 ministers.Atou Liezietsu, a businessman in a note of optimism said, "Rio can be expected in the next cabinet expansion. So, it is better to wait and watch.""We don't expect too much. After all, BJP alone crossed the majority mark," feels Neikho Angami, a social worker.Meanwhile, at the send-off dinner in Kohima on Friday last, Rio recalled his journey as a public servant and attributed those successful 40 years to the blessings of the God, the support of the people and the cooperation from his party. He also expressed regret that many visions were left unfulfilled because of resource constraints and tendered an apology to the people for such lapses.