BJP "still keen" to contest 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Nagaland

 

BJP "still keen" to contest 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Nagaland
Naga-Kuki tension prevailed for eight years, party meet told

Guwahati/New Delhi 

In a crucial political move, the BJP leadership has sought to maintain that 'no final decision' has been taken to forgo the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland to its partner NDPP.

"Things are just too early....whether there is a candidate or not, the party organisation continues as a permanent feature and so the karyakarta has to keep working," - a key party functionary told senior BJP leaders and state presidents from the northeastern states at the saffron party's 'Organisational Strategy' meet at Guwahati on Thursday, July 6.

NDPP challenged Modi's UCC move ?

'Nagaland Page'

Responding to a specific query from BJP in-charge Nagaland, Nalin Kohli, -- what message should be given to the workers as there is a belief that the lone Lok Sabha seat may be left out for Neiphiu Rio-led NDPP; a key senior leader said, "Nothing has been finalised...It is too early, Whether we will contest or not will be decided only at the 11th hour". 

Kohli is general known for his pro-NDPP tilt and during February elections he had comeunder attack from various quarters. Many say even his 'asking such a question' at this juncture was seemingly to give a boost to NDPP's political interest.

Interestingly, in reference to a recent meeting of BJP leaders attended by 'defeated candidates', one party leader later said, "I think we should rather blame our own party and our own organisational leaders, especially Nalin Kohli and Temjen Imna Along. It's not fair to blame Rio, he is not in our party". 

Top BJP central leaders understandably have not taken lightly the NDPP's recent 'unprecedented keenness' vis-a-vis Uniform Civil Code. "It was raised and hyped suo motu by the NDPP," a party source said.

Out of nowhere the NDPP suddenly found a new rhythm and enthusiasm and started attacking the UCC almost forgetting they are alliance partners of the BJP since 2018. Moreover, Rio as NPF leader has been dealing with the 'ideological issues' of the saffron party for the last two decades.

It was also pointed out that at the BJP's booth workers meet at Bhopal, the UCC issue was raised by no less than Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. There have been also suggestions that a section of  NDPP leaders were inching closer to the NCP and Trinamool Congress presuming the opposition parties could spring a major surprise in 2024.

At the Guwahati meeting attended by party's organisational general secretary B L Santhosh, it was also told that ethnic clashes in Manipur ought to be "understood properly".

"It took eight years of violent clashes between Nagas and Kukis in Manipur from 1993 to 2001 and later it took almost another decade to give the healing touch and bring normalcy," a party leader told his colleagues.

The meeting was attended among others by Bijayant Panda, Raghubar Das, Sunil Bansal, M Chuba Ao, Abhay Giri and Shiv Prakash and also the likes of Nalin Kohli (BJP in-charge Nagaland) and Sambit Patra, party's national spokesman.

"Altogether 39 leaders attended. Similar meeting has been convened in Delhi also and such a brainstorming session will be held for the southern states at Hyderabad on July 9," a source said.

The party leaders drew out plans for Mizoram elections due later this year along along with MP, Rajasthan, Chhattsgarh and Telangana. The Mizoram state unit chief of BJP, Vanlalhmuaka exuded confidence of doing well. BJP in-charge for Mizoram, Mmhonlumo Kikon from Nagaland also attended.

A section of BJP leaders feel the party should discuss with Meghalaya chief minister and NPP chief Conrad Sangma and ask for one of the two parliamentary seats between Shillong and Tura to be contested by the saffron party.

The big takeaway from the meeting was that the party organisation should be strengthened at all levels, sources said.  The meeting was conducted by party general secretary Dilip Saikia.

Leaders from Assam exuded confidence that out of 14 Lok Sabha seats, "going by the performance of the BJP-led coalition government under Himanta Biswa Sarma, the saffron party should target at least 10 parliamentary seats for the 2024 general elections".

The Lotus outfit has no alliance in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura.

One BJP leader raised the issue of attacks on places of worship in Manipur and maintained that attempts have been made by vested interest to turn the ethnic clash look like a religious clash.

"We should not be talking in these lines...if churches have been attacked, which is very sad. Even some temples have been attacked and destroyed in some places," the leader reportedly said. There were, however, no general discussions on the Manipur situation. 

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