Ajay Kumar Bhalla Takes Oath as Nagaland Governor

On Monday, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla was formally sworn in as the 22nd Governor of Nagaland, succeeding the late Governor La Ganesan. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Raj Bhavan, Kohima, where Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, administered the oath of office. The occasion was marked by the presence of prominent state leaders including Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Ministers T.R. Zeliang and Y.Y. Patton, along with State Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior bureaucrats, and various dignitaries.

Following the ceremony, Governor Bhalla interacted with Chief Minister Rio and the State Cabinet, signifying his readiness to engage with the state’s governance processes. He also inspected a ceremonial guard of honour, a traditional gesture of respect accorded to the newly sworn-in Governor.

The programme was conducted under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen. It concluded with a reception at Raj Bhavan, where political leaders, church authorities, tribal organisations, and members of civil society groups gathered to extend their greetings and best wishes to the new Governor. The event served as both a formal transition of gubernatorial power and an opportunity for the new Governor to engage with various stakeholders of the state.

However, the otherwise significant event was overshadowed by the absence of representatives from the Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP). This committee is composed of members from five influential Naga tribes: Ao, Angami, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi. Their non-participation in the function was a pointed act of protest. The CoRRP has been vocal about its demand for a comprehensive review of Nagaland’s job reservation policy, which has been in place for more than four decades.

Although the Nagaland government has already announced the formation of a Reservation Review Commission to examine the policy, the CoRRP has rejected this move. The committee argues that the commission lacks adequate representation from tribal and civil society bodies, which, they insist, are crucial stakeholders in such a sensitive matter. For them, the absence of this representation undermines the legitimacy and inclusiveness of the review process.

In a strong show of dissent, the CoRRP has declared that it will continue to boycott all government functions until their demands are met. Their decision not only affected Monday’s swearing-in ceremony but also earlier this month’s Independence Day celebrations, which the same five tribes had abstained from. This continued boycott highlights deepening dissatisfaction among influential tribal groups and signals potential friction between the government and tribal communities if the issue remains unresolved.

The developments surrounding Bhalla’s swearing-in, therefore, reflect two narratives. On one hand, there is the ceremonial and administrative continuity of governance in Nagaland with Bhalla assuming office as Governor. On the other hand, the absence of key tribal groups from such a major state function underscores ongoing socio-political tensions in Nagaland, particularly over the contentious reservation policy.

Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s assumption of office comes at a delicate juncture. While he begins his tenure with the goodwill and greetings of several stakeholders, the boycott by the CoRRP serves as a reminder of the critical issues awaiting his attention. How the new Governor and the state government address these concerns could shape Nagaland’s political and social landscape in the months ahead.