Post Parliament session ...... Home Ministry on 'fast track' in more ways than one in north east :::: But is there a subtle message too for Tribals in Jharkhand .... Will you miss Double engine Sarkar ?

(Post Parliament session, the centre has acted rather quickly on north east. While the Tripura visit to attend NEC plenary session was as per earlier programme, the appointments of new Governors in Mizoram and violence-hit Manipur is significant in more ways than one.)

Importantly, the outcome in Mizoram elections in 2023 actually left a political lesson about Manipur and how the ethnic conflicts between Meiteis and Kukis ought to be seen. 

PM Narendra Modi was to address a poll rally in Mamit, around 80 km from Mizoram capital Aizawl, on October 30, 2023. 

But he had to opt out from the programme as for a rare occasion the 'popular' Prime Minister staying away from Mizoram in the election season leaves a very powerful message.

The then Mizoram CM Zoramthanga -- apparently playing back to his own vote bank gallery - refused to share a stage with PM Modi during the campaign for assembly elections. 

"The people of Mizoram are all Christians. When the people of Manipur (Meities) burned hundreds of churches in Manipur, they were (Mizos) totally against that kind of idea. To have sympathy with the BJP at this time will be a big minus point for my party," Zoramthanga had told BBC News in an interview.

"It will be better if the prime minister comes alone and he shares the platform by himself, and I take the stage separately by myself," Zoramthanga had said. One could not be more bitter about a Prime Minister in office.

This also brings us to a crucial aspect of politico-administration in the northeast. 

The North East tribal Christians will be more than delighted to see a Solution to the pending Naga issue, and it is thus the Salvation route for the Prime Minister vis-a-vis the anguish among the people in the region.

It's a shake up probably Home Minister Amit Shah wanted to make earlier.

There is a feeling Chief Ministers of both Manipur N Biren Singh and Mizoram Lalduhoma may not be quite pleased.  But the Chief Ministers  Biren Singh (BJP) and Lalduhoma (ZPM and not NDA ally) will have to appreciate the centre's move.

Former Union Home Secretary and Amit Shah's trusted babu Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been appointed as new Governor of Manipur while former army chief and also an ex-Union Minister Gen V K Singh (Retd) will now be in Mizoram Raj Bhavan.   

Amit Shah visited Tripura lately. This was onetime a Left bastion - but according to Home Minister, the state remained poor during communists' regime and is seeing development now since 2018.

The assembly polls of 2018 was a turnaround event for the state. The unthinkable had happened as the BJP stormed to power ousting otherwise a 'popular' Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. 

Shah during his visit on Dec 22 (Sunday) said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi peace has been established in Tripura and various development works have been stepped up.

But more importantly, he pointed that the 23-year-old imbroglio of Reang tribals has been resolved. Reangs or Brus faced problems for years in Mizoram and were almost homeless for long. 

After visiting the Reang tribal settlement camps and virtually inaugurating and laying foundation stones of 13 development projects worth Rs 668.39 crore, the Home Minister while addressing a gathering at Kulai RF Village Ground in Dhalai District, said that the previous Left Front government did nothing for the Reang tribals and other people.

He said that for the settlement of around 40,000 Reang tribals in 12 locations in Tripura around Rs 900 crore was being spent.

“With the settlement of the Reang tribals, thousands of the hapless people got a new lease of life. Their children would now get education and other basic facilities,” he stated. 

What were the key takeaways ?

The Centre, the state government and the Tipra Motha tripartite talks have been put on a faster track to address issues relating to indigenous people of Tripura. The Implementation of recent Accord with tribal armed groups for rehabilitation and resettlement will get kick-started soon.  

Shah held a high-level meeting with Tipra Motha Party founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman and other tribal leaders to review the progress of the Tiprasa Accord. 

The meeting, held after the North Eastern Council (NEC) plenary session, also saw the participation of Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha.

Pradyot Kishore Debbarman expressed optimism stating: 

“The Home Minister has stressed an early solution for our Tiprasa people, which we welcome. Things are moving in the right direction".

The Tiprasa Accord, a key focus of the meeting, aims to address the socio-economic and political concerns of the indigenous communities in Tripura. 

Shah's message has been clear - Big push to developement of infrastructure in tribal areas.

Politically, the theme is -- the Double engine NDA Govt’s massive tribal outreach under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah

Of course, the Bru rehabilitation is nearing completion.

But all these also throw up a mild question for Tribals of Jharkhand to introspect ... Are you missing the Double Engine Sarkar? 

The reason is obvious as Jharkhand voters re-elected JMM-led dispensation in the just concluded polls and did not buy the BJP line on many issues notwithstanding high profile campaigning by the likes of Himanta Biswa Sarma.