Rio was chief minister of Nagaland for three consecutive terms, between 2003 to 2014. He’s well-versed enough on constitutional matters to be able to rattle off Article 371a of the Constitution of India, which grants special status to Nagaland, verbatim. Under this provision, no Act of Parliament can apply to Nagaland in respect of religious or social practices of the Nagas and Naga customary law unless approved by the Nagaland Assembly. “We are not against women’s participation, but there should be dialogue. At present, there is apprehension that there is some agenda,” he says.