'Comedy of Master Strokes' ::::: Smart .... to allegedly "Over Smart" .... Ambition to 'Over ambition' ..... Journey of a 'disqualified MLA' ... NIDC chairman to Chief Ministership and possible merger of 'NPF and NDPP'

What's Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio upto?

In Hindi film 'Sholay' -- Dharmendra gets over a water tank and says - "My story is full of emotion, drama and tragedy".

Actually he missed out on Comedy !! And now we have full dosage of that. 

The Comedy of Errors or 'Master strokes' actually revolves around certain mistakes and certainly being 'indifferent' about Legacy.   

Ask a few 'friendly' NDPP leaders such as -- are you all not bothered about Legacy.

They will counter that nicely - "Are you asking about me or my party?"

"Sir! both," -- I said sheepishly. 

And then the counter: "My party believes we live only today and hence Legacy is like a fictional word. 

Whatever correction is necessary about legacy etc can be managed by a Bolero ride". 

I try to come to grasp with REALITY !   

What more is expected from a party of party hoppers? No ideology, no issue-based politics.  

Then what we have -- power and corridors of power politics. 

Political sins arguably dwarf others’ wrongs.

 

Now, 'Comedy of  Master Strokes' 

Chief Minister Rio should give himself all credit for turning the Nagaland socio-political landscape totally - murky and confused. People are fast giving up all 'hopes' vis-a-vis Solution to the Naga issue. That's the Master Stoke. 

I asked some important legislators about their roles and 'speeches' they would make during the ongoing Budget session of the state assembly. 

"I do not want to talk about a supposedly big issue. But in reality the Naga peace talks and Solution are non issues as of today for many people," said one of them. 

Another refrain was - "It is only a talking issue and people are increasingly seeing the subject as an issue of extortion and self seeking. Even common people think Peace talks and Solution are not the same thing".

A few others volunteered to point out at the Chief Minister Rio's self-contradictory standpoints --  

* On Sept 12, 2024, he pushed 'new interlocutor' line and the so-called stakeholders and consultative committee endorsed it. 

* On Nov 21, 2024, he and his cabinet (along side BJP leaders) met Home Minister Amit Shah. The 'demand' for new interlocutor was rejected outright and the centre also expected that those'influential' leaders should do 'better home work' and convince NSCN-IM leader Thuingaleng Muivah for an early solution. 

A few weeks later a group of well known 'Modi bashing' MPs in the Rajya Sabha were persuaded by the Status Quo club (Deep State protagonists) to sign a letter addressed to Amit Shah and demanded a new interlocutor. 

Well, technically you cannot blame Rio or the NDPP for it. 

But the electoral friendship between Ukhrul and Kohima was proved as the letter to Amit Shah glorified Framework Agreement and simply forgot that there was any Agreed Position. 

By Feb 27, NDPP organised its general convention. Rio knew the event will come under scanner. So push another self-defeating line -- Talks were over by Oct 31, 2019 ( as propounded by Chingwang Konyak). 

Over to March 3 and the Governor's address makes a big flip flop. Even the minimum demand by all sections of Nagaland for a Common Draft to prepare ground does not figure. 

The 'deep state' players are happy and the Chief Minister is seemingly relieved. 

Next day - now Chief Minister's turn to say something and so he blunders. 

Perhaps still anxious that Amit Shah is unpredictable; he makes it clear that he would meet the Home Minister. He forgets the 'new interlocutor' episode and says he and his ministers would be happy to meet Mr A K Mishra.   

What an achievement and more of what a sacrifice !! The senior most CM from northeastern region will meet Shah and also interlocutor A K Mishra. 

Further more Rio these days speak a lot about 'integration' of Naga contiguous areas.  

When I quizzed a state-based leader. He was emphatic - How can CM Rio ensure 'division' of Manipur state? Because greater Nagalim is not possible without division of Manipur state. 

** Related question --- How can Rio integrate Naga areas without dividing Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Assam ? 

^^ When centre has categorically said that Integration is not happening, Why Rio is trying to muddy the water?

Can these not boomerang ? What is the Ministry of Home Affairs waiting for? 

Spoiling the show and the equilibrium in Manipur especially after months of ethnic conflict can actually provoke central government actions.  

Rio realises his trump cards are falling apart. Himanta could be in problem himself. So he plays the good old music and tries to give a twist in the musical nodes. He says the centre should be 'more serious' about resolving Naga issue. 

Rio is not realising that he has committed an 'error of master stroke'. 

If the centre is really serious - then he has to pack up and seek certain scheme called voluntary retirement !