Everything returns to its roots where it manifested.
What's common between incumbent Nagaland Governor La Ganesan and his one of the distinguished predecessors R N Ravi?
Ganesan comes from Tamil Nadu and as of today Ravi is the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
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| Blogger and Guv La Ganesan |
Now let us come to the 'differences' ? Ravi is a former cop and especially as a 'spy' in the context of Intelligence Bureau.
For his part, Ganesan is a man from different background and is traditional and nationalist to the core.
Now the 'time' factor... the situation has given an opportunity to Mr Ganesan to create history for himself and also for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Of course, the Governor's address is only a policy statement of the 'popular' government of the day. That's what the Indian Constitution says and that is what is expected.
But on Jan 17th, 2020, Ravi made a path-breaking gesture and announced that the Naga peace talks have been completed by Oct 31, 2019.
Did the Rio cabinet agree in 2019 to what Ravi told on the floor of the Assembly ?
Technically they all agreed and also did the state MLAs as the customary address of the Governor was responded with a thanks giving debate.
That means the Nagaland assembly agreed to what Ravi had said. --Meaning the talks were over on Oct 31, 2019.
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| Veteran S C Jamir met R N Ravi at Chennai, Feb 12, 2025 |
That's one part of the history. The 'deep state' or the now infamous Status Quo Club had soon got into action and every effort was made to discredit Ravi.
Probably one of the first steps was to make 'select' organisations and media people take a jaundiced view of the Raj Bhawan at Kohima. Secondly, a theory was circulated that Ravi's address did not mention any time frame for Solution. A Kohima-inspired script reached journalists and IB sleuths in Delhi also.
It was 'intellectually' argued: It appears that there is no transparency in the talks process.
A few other equally intellectual questions were raised :
"Will the Indo-Naga issue remain unresolved or will the Autonomous Councils be granted to the Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur and then what will be the arrangement for the Nagas of Assam?
"Should NDPP befriend and even glorify Himanta Biswa Sarma as a 'saviour' of the talks process'?
$$ "What will the Government do with the demand of ENPO with regard to a separate frontier Nagaland State or grant them an Autonomous Council?
The question also is who has been doing the consultations with Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur and the stakeholders after the Indo-Naga political negotiation was over.
The demands for Flag and a separate Constitution cropped up.
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| NNPG stalwart and also in controversy : Kitovi |
The Nagaland assembly will get underway on March 3, Monday with Governor's La Ganesan's customary address. Of course the presentation of the Budget is a key agenda.
But the House will also take up discussions on issues of public importance and the Naga political issue besides matters concerning roads, infrastructures etc.
The real issue confronting Nagas of Nagaland state and outside can be, however, flagged off by the Governor in his address. Will he ?
Meanwhile on Feb 27th, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak stole limelight temporarily. But in many crucial quarters, Chingwang's address was dismissed within the definition of 'he also spoke' type.
One important Naga leader on the condition of anonymity reacting to Chingwang's statement said - "The NDPP leadership should stop misleading the Nagas forthwith and hence must also tender an apology for trying to mislead even the Govt of India".
The context is well understood because Chingwang says the talks were over by/on Oct 31, 2019. That's precisely - R N Ravi line (of 2019).
In contrast, the Chief Minister and his ministerial colleagues met Amit Shah in November 2024 requesting a new interlocutor.
Kitovi had countered such a move last year itself when he said - "Bhat khaisey..
auru Prarthana koribo. This is not done".
("We Christians pray before the Lord before the celebration or feast, not after the Khana".) (as reported in 'Nagaland Page')
Even mandarins in Delhi took note of such remarks from Kitovi, who played a part in the inking of the Agreed Position.
Therefore, a refrain being heard in Delhi is - If Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and NDPP president Chingwang Konyak "agree" to what the latter has said that the talks were over in Oct 2019 itself, then ....
it is a fit case for Nagaland ministers to say sorry to the Nagas for having sought a New Interlocutor.
The demand for a new interlocutor first sprang up at the Sept 12th Kohima meeting of various stakeholders.
Interestingly, a handful (plus...) Opposition MPs were persuaded by 'deep state' protagonists to sign a letter demanding a new interlocutor.
With regard the state of Manipur, Home Minister Amit Shah has made it clear that it is time to crack the whip from March 8th (a day after extended time for surrender of arms expires).
The Naga Hoho has 'quit' the old club and is now amid true Naga-adventurism and doing some candid talks.
Moral of the lesson - One 'double engine' in Imphal will be in action. For the other - there is need for a better coordinated 'political action'.
Right time never comes; you have to make the time right.
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