"In Nagaland, food processing is currently overseen by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce. While this department contributes to sectoral development, the growing strategic importance of food processing calls for the creation of an independent Ministry of Food Processing Industries at the state level," states a 'friendly letter' from Union Food Processing Industry and LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
Such a move will enable "more targeted policy making, streamline coordination with central schemes", and ensure effective implementation aligned with national objectives, the letter says.
Though a constituent of NDA; LJP (Ram Vilas) fought the 2023 assembly elections fiercely against NDPP.
Dr Sukhato : LJP Legislator
The battle in Pughoboto between Dr Sukhato A Sema (LJP) and Y Vikheho Swu (NDPP) was one of the keenly watched bitter battles of 2023.
Even prior to the contest on ground; there was intense lobbying in Delhi and closed door parleys when Pughoboto seat from the BJP quota was taken away by the Rio-led outfit.
Dr Sukhato was once keen for BJP Nagaland unit presidentship. He had unsuccessfully contested 2018 polls and in 2023 decided to join Chirag Paswan's party only after Pughoboto seat was taken away by the NDPP -- allegedly even after using the name of a prominent Naga insurgent leader.
But things do change in life and politics.
This is also a season of possible reshuffle in Nagaland cabinet and hence LJP (Ram Vilas) now has taken up a pet project of the NDPP leadership. Chirag Paswan has reportedly taken up with Civil Aviation Minister and TDP lawmaker Ram Mohan Naidu the development of Greenfield airport at Ciethu.
In 2024, lone Lok Sabha MP in Nagaland Supongmeren Jamir virtually expressed his gratitude to his own good fortune and to a section of pro-Congress NDPP that helped him win the parliamentary seat by talking about the airport project.
Even a veteran Congressman K Therie was stunned.
Chirag's letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister says - "representation" from CM Rio submitted earlier to the centre is "self-explanatory" .
Hence the Minister (Naidu) should "look into the matter and do the needful".
Ciethu Airport is a greenfield airport project expected to come up in an area of 645 acres of land at a spot about 25 kilometres north of Kohima.
It is to operate as a second airport for Nagaland with the existing Dimapur Airport continuing to function.
Rio became Chief Minister in 2003 and in 2006, the Congress-led central government carried out a field assessment for the project in Northern Angami hills.
The report was later “nullified” as the feasibility report was found to be “unclear”.
In 2020, the Airports Authority of India agreed to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) and on July 15, 2021, the Ministry of Defence issued a "no-objection certificate" for the proposed airport.
Whether Naga peace talks will be on faster track and whether Chirag Paswan-Ram Naidu bond will help expedite the works on the airport; we do not know.
But once thing seems clear - Dr Sukhato is doing his part.
Dr Sukhato is a former government official and hence it is natural Chief Minister Rio also "knows" him personally.
The former Principal Director in the Health Department has an image of a performer.
One of his admirers in Pughoboto told me in February this year: - "As a medico Dr Sukhato first tries to diagnose the problems ...I think this strategy helped him deliver better and faster in terms of development in Pughboto.
So at times we find some projects are ear-marked with limited funds .... But once the work starts and our MLA has made up his mind, he arranges money from his own source and finally the project is through".
As this blogger has earned the reputation of being an unfriendly journo to the ruling dispensation at Kohima; one does not have any updated insider version on whether cabinet expansion is really taking place.
Moreover, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is also busy with his own election due early 2026.
So, how to convince Delhi ?
One is not sure, whether Rio has developed 'strength' to drop any BJP minister.
And also even if the cabinet reshuffle takes place; one is not sure who all will be dropped and who all will make it.
That's a chief minister's prerogative.
But one can always say -- whilst everyone else could be focused on eating a modest slice of the humble pie -- Dr Sukhato may prove different on ground and could deliver things better.
In February this year, I also interacted with a 20-something youth from Pughoboto and he was quite articulate :
"You must have heard sir in a democracy, we have something called love for the people... That is vital. When you have your representative concerned about the constituency actually Democracy deepens. This has happened between uncle Sukhato and Pughoboto," he said.
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| Pughoboto : Roads symbolise transition under Dr Sukhato |
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