New Delhi
The positive side of BJP protest is that the Naga karyakartas have shown utmost trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Not much may be expected from the proposed review of the seat share deal between the BJP and the Neiphiu Rio-led NDPP.
The January 28 or 29th could be just another day.
However, a section of the saffron party leadership believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi is himself "mindful" of tribal sentiments.
This episode of protest by BJP in Nagaland has surfaced at a time when PM Narendra Modi has directed his party karyakartas across India to reach out to minorities but here under a seat share deal Nagas and Christians are prevented from inching closer to the BJP.
There are other apprehensions and these are vital ones. If Pughoboto seat still goes to NDPP, can it not jeopardize Naga peace talks on the ground of NSCN-IM interfering so blatantly in Election matters notwithstanding the two denials?
"It is a matter of fact that tribal communities in north east notwithstanding their Christianity background have been highly appreciative of Narendra Modi's policy. Hence people have high expectations from the Modi government in the centre. PM himself talks about double engine governments, Nagas only agree with him with utmost sincerity," remarked a key leader working closely with the BJP central leadership.
The deal 20:40 grossly in favour of NDPP and especially in favour of Chief Minister Rio
has been a 'puzzle' for many. Several leaders feel, "This deal actually works against Modi's
own political pledge of Double Engine governments".
The so-called 'Christianity angle' is not a convincing reason to many as the same socio-religious background prevails in Meghalaya and despite putting up a much poorer show in that state, the saffron party is going alone and has dumped Conrad Sangma-led NPP.
Analysts say the NDPP's approach has been to exploit the name and popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but at the same time 'stall' the growth of BJP in Nagaland.
But why the centre is giving in ?
If Nagas are hurt, will that be corrected soon? In 2018, the BJP had won only two seats in Meghalaya out of over 40 seats it contested. But in Nagaland, the BJP had won 12 out of only 20 seats it contested and it also had a better strike rate than NDPP of Rio that had won only 18 out of 40.
Analysts point out that for about one year there have been repeated tussles between a section of BJP leaders in Nagaland led by deputy CM Y patton and the party high command over the 20:40 formula. State unit president Temjen Imna Along and Nagaland in-charge Nalin Kohli were largely seen as pro-Neiphiu Rio and hence the workers' anguish got ventilated against Imna Along on Sunday.
Another central BJP leader Rituraj Sinha had earlier this month tried to take a corrective step but he could not do much as his efforts and meeting ticket aspirants including a large number of them from NDPP on Jan 5 could not yield expected results.
Apparently, on Jan 19 seat share talks in Delhi attended by Chief Minister Rio and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sinha and deputy CM Patton were again sidelined.
Ends
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