Long live status quo in Nagaland? Medical Colleges and HC complex - Who'll raise the right questions?

Guv Mukhi : Goes pro-active ! Where r d skeletons?

Medical Colleges and HC complex - Who'll raise the right questions?

New Delhi 

Nothing can be more embarrassing for a state and its leadership than the state Governor, 'the first citizen' of the province, stating that there has been “unsatisfactory development" on the works of the complexes of the medical college and the high court.

This is exactly what has happened with Governor Jagdish Mukhi and the state of affairs in Nagaland.

Whose fault are these? Worse, the NDPP runs the show in alliance with the BJP -- a party of Narendra Modi crusading against corruption elsewhere in the country.

 
Obviously some authorities would be blamed and at best political detractors will target Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. 

It is more embarrassing as the works related to high court premises have already snowballed into litigation and there are investigations by powerful central investigating agencies.

A few people were summoned too. 

But one would like to peep into the big picture. What about the social failure of the non-government stakeholders in democracy, like the intellectuals, social organisations and others?

There was hardly any secret that funds were allocated from the centre for medical colleges in Kohima and Mon. But apparently some funds got diverted.

In Lok Sabha, NDPP lawmaker Tokheho Yepthomi raised the issue of Medical Colleges and central funding. 

The centre's response that Rs 171 crore was released in 2019 itself allegedly 'exposed' some skeletons of governance.

Whether it was in fitness of things that in all probability funds were diverted to escape the RBI embargo?  But what those outside the government were doing? 

Whether some intellectuals in Kohima now planning to boycott this new Governor Mukhi too? R N Ravi was subjected to something like that. 

The bigger issue should be who influenced such decisions by non-government players? Was it a case of  efficiency by people who have the Chief Minister's ears; and can 'advise' him ?

Is Mr Rio still not clear - whether he should clean his house?  Has Mr Jagdish Mukhi taken the joy ride to these premises on his own ? 

These episodes have not happened in Nagaland or northeast for the first time. 

As a media person, I have always believed like hundreds of my compatriots especially senior colleagues both in Nagaland and outside that - the most

uncomfortable fact of the media's life is to call - spade a spade. If we fail, it is serious.

Take the case of All Assam Students Union (AASU) agitation and how mass-level movement against foreigners' influx was turned into a parochial Bengali-kheda (anti-Bengali) affair. Look at the manner in which the AGP leaders failed once they stormed into corridors of power. 

Their selfish motives were exposed as AGP ministers started fighting over ACs and best rooms in the Dispur secretariat.

In Nagaland, we had instances when calculative politicians, enthusiastic students and angry mothers protested over lack of adequate developments in the state. 

But when Doyang project started, for months the works got delayed over the issue of land compensation. Meghalaya has once opposed rail projects and coffee plantations.

During P A Sangma's tenure as I&B Minister, an IIMC unit was set up in Dimapur but later it

had to be shifted to Aizawl. 

During the mid-1990s, one has heard several Naga politicians say roads have been constructed in Nagaland to clear bushes to facilitate better movement of the army.

Where were intellectuals and the fourth estate? Someone had the obligation to call 'spade a spade' and point out to the ministers and other leaders that Development need not bring in Roads, but it is the Roads that would herald Development.

In other words, have the right questions been raised?  

Of course, there are challenges and hard times. Media persons and the owners of the small-time

newspapers are all - essentially strugglers. Those who depend solely on the profession suffer even in far off Delhi !

It is pertinent to note that we journalists and editors/owners continue to work under economic hardships and threats. But once we are committed to the profession, we should deliver and do that honestly.

But it's all our choice. In some central government offices in Delhi, office peons who serve tea to visiting journalists draw salaries around Rs 60-70 thousand. They are assured of DA, pension and other benefits.

I most often take a sip, try to smile at fate and wonder - where I am, and what I am supposed to do.  

 Advancing elections - whose advantage that would be ?

Peace to continue to hang by a slender thread 

New Delhi

There is speculation that the Nagaland elections could be advanced and held 
by November-December this year itself. Whom would such a move suit and who is pushing for this ? One version is such a move could personally help Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and ensure his continuance in office.

But not many say Rio will himself push for this as advancing elections without Solution and final peace pact may be an 'open invitation' to violence. 

Are all the security apparatus in sync with such a possibility and will they able to handle the challenges there in?

Police sources may not confirm either way - yes or no; but they know the forces are not adequate to handle the situation more so in a poll season.

Of course, on the other hand if a peace pact is inked; there would be an euphoria. 

However, sources claim Chief Minister Rio has directed top officials and head of departments to complete most project works by October end. His adversaries say, Mr Rio is only preparing for elections vis-a-vis 'funding matters' as elections in Nagaland are always expensive affairs.

The NDPP camp could also presume that advancing elections would present BJP before some awkward situations as they are hardly prepared at the organisational level and the saffron party will be compelled to strike an alliance with it.

In all these situations, it appears the foremost casualty would be peace process and Solution would still go farther away.

But Solution - as articulated by veteran S C Jamir earlier this year - is like death warrant for some political elements in the state. Hence why bother much about Solution at all?

Lip service is good enough ! The so called core committee could yet again assert that the legislators are ready to make any sacrifice !

But on ground, not an inch will be parted away and no one would step aside.

Where would the NNPG stand in all these chaotic situations ? The umbrella group is already feeling the pinch of so called 'deliberate delay' in finalising the peace pact.

Cadres are already losing patience and hence if no Solution pact is worked out, more frustration would creep in.

In other words, 'discontent' would be out in the open. 

NNPG's tough guy- Kitovi 

So, advancing polls could mean, the BJP again be forced to contest 15-20 seats and this time NDPP and their resourceful friends will ensure only 2-3 candidates win. Secondly, we may have an halfhearted election campaign by the BJP.

At best, PM Narendra Modi may address a rally - readout from a prepared speech. Kiren Rijiju may be on his side yet again read out the translated version in Nagamese.

There would be a 'new K L Chishi' - meaning a big BJP head may roll down. All eyes will be in Wokha district, can it again get a deputy chief minister or will the man be gutsy and flamboyant enough.

All these would also mean status quo. It would mean 'status quo' even for security apparatus and some of the central agencies. But what is their interest other than the so-called 'disturbance allowance' ?

Long live status quo ? Peace is always an elusive bird never to come to the nest.

ends