Desperate BJP's SOS : Prez Rule is an option, Solution a must

 New Delhi

Friendship in politics can be of three varieties or slots - genuine bond, just friends and
some relations here and there and gloves are off.

Talk to Nagaland BJP leaders and the 'committed saffron party men and women' would say- "We have reached the third stage with NDPP; gloves are being taken off slowly and certainly".

The issue in context is BJP's relationship with NDPP and the manner Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has mustered '21 extra tyres' to run the political bus.

The Nagaland BJP core committee meeting at Dimapur on Sunday was therefore very crucial and importantly it was attended by party general secretary Tarun Chugh.

Things have reached such a passe that one office bearer in the state unit at the end of day casually remarked: "...At least we are happy, Mr Chugh did not meet Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Normally, some leaders come and meet Chief Minister out of courtesy or otherwise and then our portfolios go away".

The reference is to Nagaland in-charge Nalin Kohli's recent Kohima visit and close on the heels of

that Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton lost his portfolio of Roads and Bridges.

Chugh traveled to Tuli area also and held a series of other meetings including with IT cell and media office bearers.

"The well established perception in Nagaland BJP is that NDPP-BJP combine has been trying to sail on two or multiple boats. One such boat being showing an inclination towards PM Narendra Modi and take all advantage. But the true colour is coming out now," a source said.

These are loaded words. The NDPP leadership's intent is clear and is also guided by BJP's 'Manipur Model' wherein allies NPP and NPF were dumped. 

But to have a BJP chief minister in a predominant Christian state will be by itself a 'major achievement' 

for the saffron party - which has a blemish record of being anti-minorities.

Thus, the political reality is -- if in 2018, both BJP and NDPP required each other's embrace - like

all pragmatic lovers - in 2023 and beyond they need to come out of the romantic bliss.

And when it is to fight to the finish -- the BJP has twin trump cards and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio

may not have clues to counter these cards so easily.

One is - an early announcement of Political solution and signing of a peace accord. Mr Patton sensed

the 'trouble spot' in the other camp well and so he broke the news that PM Modi and Home Minister 

Amit Shah have been urged to finalise peace pact by August 15, 2022.

It may be coincidence, but it is true he was divested the portfolio of Roads and Bridges within two days

since he made the statement at a function in Dimapur. Chief Minister Rio should have made the announcement and why he did not is another puzzle.

Solution or final peace pact is clearly against 'status quoists'. Secondly, if President's Rule is imposed automatically the

'power hungry' flies would be liberated out of the cage. The honey will be elsewhere and grass would be

greener on the side of the pond with 'Lotus' blooming merrily.

Chugh would definitely return to Delhi with these two messages. 'While Solution is a must,

President's Rule may be a good option'. 

His visit was therefore crucial.

His reports to BJP chief J P Nadda and general secretary (Organisation) B L Santhosh will be vital.

BJP's Manipur organisational in-charge Abhay Giri also accompanied him. This only underlines

the importance of the tour. 

The Manipur model of campaigning and planning may be kick-started soon and even some NPF defectors 

'may get tempting feelers'. 

Neiphiu Rio for his part has 'strengthened' his position to safely undermine the BJP; but things may not be

so safe !

The money laundering, other financial mismanagement and diversion of funds are issues at hand and they

could be used easily. 

 

Union MoS Health, Bharati Pawar, recently informed Rio's handpicked Lok Sabha MP (2019) Tokheho Yepthomi

that out of total approved cost of Rs 189 crore - a sum of Rs 170 crore (90 per cent that is total central share)

has been allotted for Kohima Medical College and Rs 242 crore sanctioned for District Hospital, Mon.

She also pointed out eloquently: "...the state government is the implementing agency and planning, the execution and commissioning of the projects is to be done by the state governments". In politics, one need not be more crystal clear.

ends