January 7th happens to be my brother Nirmal (Raja's) birthday. But early morning I was surprised to receive a link of a news paper article I wrote in January 2024.
The news link is shared here
'Nagaland Page' Link
That article carried a powerful line. "A brother ... who can cool your angry temper or can tell you, well I am here, every crisis can be handled".
My friend (male or female - let that be surprise too) takes keen interest in socio-political development of northeast India. So this sharing of a one-year-old story had a political significance of its own.
Nagaland brothers are in 'speculation' news for sometime in Naga politics.
How much should a brother be counted and banked upon? Will the younger sibling take some responsibilities and also agree to give it back when the storm is over?
Well, after veteran Shurhozelie vetoed K Azo Nienu's elevation as NPF president in 2023; one thing was clear -- the Cock and the Globe merger story (NPF and NDPP) is not happening as of now.
So Rio was/is yet to be declared the 'tallest regionalist'.
Of course, Rio hails from the Congress school of politics - once identified with the power-game and now in an era of struggles ensuring its own significance.
So dynasty etc does not matter in Congress culture. Rather that's a virtue. Look around AICC politics and the sycophancy attached to it. Brother-Sister in one House and dearest mom in another. And ask Jairam Ramesh or Mallikarjun Kharge - they will swear Indian democracy is safe.
Threats to democracy come from the Modi-Shah duo -- according to them.
But Nagas are different. The Congress or non-Congress -- brotherhood has a limitation in their own version.
Vamuzo played a good brother to Vizol politically for years though both were from different tribes. Vamuzo also made his brother-in-law Thenucho the Speaker of the assembly in 1990 based on a deal with Congress veteran S C Jamir.
But for his part 'elder brother/Kokai' S C Jamir could not promote his brothers beyond a point.
Hence there would be 'noises' and raising of eyebrows whenever any 'brotherly' imposition of leadership is tried even in 2025.
But Nagaland politics has tolerated many reasonable and unreasonable hiccups in last several years. Aberration is often the rule these days.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's politics has another angle. He is also unofficial protector of the saffron party's interests and guardian to some BJP leaders in Nagaland.
For his part, Rio himself had often banked a lot on Amit Shah's mood, Himanta Biswa Sarma's help and his own fate.
After burning his fingers here and there, Himanta is now focused on Assam elections due early 2026. India's Home Minister makes his mind clear on key and sensitive issues 'very clearly'.
Now, comes Fate !! We can never run away from it.
In Delhi - the city of Jugadus - people depend a lot on luck. But there is a widely proclaimed belief -- "You do not get anything more than its in luck and neither you will get it before time".
But a stage comes - when people also reaslise -- that if the time to give up 'power' comes; one has to.
Look at the manner what political fortunes did to players like H D Deve Gowda, Sitaram Kesri, Ram Madhav and even BJP patriarch L K Advani.
It's certainly interesting times ahead.
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| CM Neiphiu Rio |
In Delhi, politics is often mingled with the Ramayana. Dr S Jaishankar, India's suave foreign minister, said in 2024 that every Ram needs a Lakshman.
Wags say Modi's diplomacy needed France and Emanuel Macron as 'Lakshman' to India.
Every Modi will need an Amit Shah.
Even in the US, Donald Trump needs Elon Musk.
Wrap Up:
It's best to end a piece like this with a few poetic verses....
"You are always willing to lend a hand.
And you always had time to listen and understand
Brothers like you are far and few.
What would I ever do without you?
.....
Siblings we are, but now best friends
I will always be here for you to the end".
(from the works of Catherine Pulsifer, Canadian poetess and author)
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