A Battle Lost - Learn Vocabulary from Newspaper (The Hindu)

Going against the status quo to take a progressive decision is always a difficult endeavour in politics or in government. Such decisions yield enthusiastic support from those in favor of change; at the same time, they invite strong responses from reactionary sections. The right thing to do for any politician seeking to embark on change is to not give in to resistance after making the decision. T.R. Zeliang, who recently stepped down as the Chief Minister of Nagaland, had taken the bold decision to conduct long-pending urban local body elections on February 1 with 33% reservation for women in accordance with the 74th Amendment to the Constitution. The move, predictably, resulted in strong opposition from tribal groups who sought to use the issue of Naga autonomy as a ploy to resist it. Mr. Zeliang should have stuck to his government’s order and sought more public acceptance by rallying the many in favour - in particular, Naga women who would have finally got their constitutionally mandated stake in local governance. Instead, he chose to take a U-turn and termed the implementation of the decision as “null and void”, emboldening tribal organisations to demand his resignation. Following a series of agitations by two tribal groups, the Joint Coordination Committee and the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee, Mr. Zeliang finally resigned, but not before some drama was played out in the ruling Naga People’s Front.

It was clear that Mr. Zeliang was being pressured to resign not just by status quoists among tribal groups but also by his rivals in the NPF. Some legislators were seeking the return of the former Chief Minister and MP, Neiphiu Rio, who had been suspended from the party last year on grounds of “anti-party activities”. Immediately, in what is now becoming a routine act in Indian politics following any intra-ruling party intrigue, the legislators were taken to a resort in Kaziranga and confined there to prevent defections. Fearing a split, Mr. Zeliang resigned, and the party’s senior leader and supremo Shurhozelie Liezietsu was nominated as the 11th Chief Minister of the State by 42 of the 49 NPF legislators. Just before Mr. Liezietsu was sworn in on Wednesday the agitation was called off by the tribal organisations, signalling an end to this round of turmoil. But the NPF-led coalition under the leadership of Mr. Liezietsu has its task cut out. It has to clearly assert its authority as the ruling establishment in the State. It must also focus its energies on the Naga peace process, which remains unresolved despite the reported signing of an accord between the Center and insurgent groups in 2015.

Source : THE HINDU

IMPORTANT WORDS FROM ARTICLE & THEIR MEANINING

  • Enthusiastic (उत्साही) - AdjectiveMeaning - having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval
    Synonyms 
    -
     ardent, concerned
    Antonyms - frigid, disinteresed
    Example - 
    As an enthusiastic person, I like to create an atmosphere of excitement and thrill wherever I go.
  • Reactionary (प्रतिक्रियावादी)
    Meaning - 
    opposing political or social progress or reform (Adjective)
    a reactionary person (Noun)
    Synonyms 
    -
     conservative, traditional
    Antonyms - liberal, radical
    Example - 
    The new president believes some of the government’s reactionary policies should be changed.
  • Embark (प्रारंभ करना) - VerbMeaning - begin (a course of action)
    Synonyms 
    - commence, launch
    Antonyms - cease, finish
    Example - 
    When William took the presidential oath, he announced his plans to embark upon a passage of change for our country.
  • Autonomy (स्वायत्तता) - NounMeaning - the right or condition of self-government
    Synonyms - freedom, liberty
    Antonyms - dependence
    Example - 
    A good boss will provide her workers with the autonomy necessary to create their own ideal working conditions.
  • Mandated (अनिवार्य) - VerbMeaning - give (someone) authority to act in a certain way
    Synonyms - 
    assigned, ordered
    Example -
     The marshal was given a mandate to use all resources to bring in the escaped prisoner.
  • Emboldening (प्रोत्साहित करना) - VerbMeaning - give (someone) the courage or confidence to do something
    Synonyms - 
    energize, boost
    Antonyms - discourage, dissuade
    Example - 
    The coach hoped his speech would embolden his team to win the playoff game.
  • Agitation (व्याकुलता) - NounMeaning - a state of anxiety or nervous excitement
    Synonyms - 
    disturbance, turmoil
    Antonyms - calm, harmony
    Example - 
    Barking at the dog will only agitate him further.
  • Insurgent (विद्रोही)Meaning - a person fighting against a government or invading force; a rebel or revolutionary (Noun)
    rising in active revolt (Adjective)
    Synonyms - 
    disobedient, revolting
    Antonyms - obedient, subordinate
    Example - 
    The soldiers were trained to shoot any enemy insurgent on sight.
Now considering the article above as a Reading Comprehension question, try to answer the following - 
  • What is NPF-led coalition is about?
Given below are some words to check your vocabulary you can make sentences with those words in the comment section which will be reviewed by us.
  • Progressive 
  • Endeavour 
  • Predictably
  • Resist 
  • Stuck 

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