There may be questions. But for the moment there may not be answers.
The allegation that under Neiphiu Rio - Nagaland politics entered a completely a new phase to be dictated and guided by the considerations of 'good business' and the 'road to profitability' appears valid.
But more than the politics - which catches people like addiction in Nagaland and outside - with Rio the concept of business and corporate style mattered more. Before him chief ministers - such as S C Jamir, Hokishe Sema, Vamuzo ... and even K L Chishi were all hardcore political elements. Rio was different. And to be fair to him - he has remained so.
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| Rio : Like corporate style politics |
Politics or politicking or even the humble ambition of Legacy do not bother him. Therefore, he has preferred not to deliver Solution and instead spent enough time and energy to convince people like Ram Madhav, Nalin Kohli and Himants Biswa Sarma. His focus was crystal clear -- now that I could get back the chair in 2018 ... let me continue here.
The rapid rise of this 'reluctant politician' from the hills of Northern Angami as a chief minister who could topple S C Jamir and to win himself the 'highest executive office' in the state has left his friends and foes stunned.
Even K Therie perhaps underestimated the survivor instinct of his onetime bosom friend.
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| Vamuzo : His politics always defeated his economic sense and he often paid price for that |
Therie with his ego and ground zero knowledge and that 'political element' followed the well perceived political instinct and hence paid a big price. His career was ruined.
In the run up to the 1993 assembly elections - when there was President's Rule and when he was attacked in Delhi's Nagaland House by NSCN-IM gunmen; Jamir had picked up two young talents K Therie and Neiba Ndang. Paradoxically, their rise initially was sudden; but did not last long.
In the ultimate two "average" politicians Neiphiu Rio and T R Zeliang could come up. That's a mix of destiny and paradox indeed. Paradox is something that applies to the law of the average.
And even while examining the rise and politics of shifting culture of T R Zeliang; one could easily find that Like Rio - T R is also hardly political in his approach.
Thus he could dump Rio, fight with him, team up with Shurhozelie. became NPF chief ministerial face and has again come back to the Team Rio. Political ideologies do not matter.
And as the Cock party happens on Oct 21st; will all that bother such protagonists?
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| Blogger - Running between assignments |
Cock, hand, Globe or even Lotus.... what bothers Netas of this school is - what's my gain and what's my enemy's loss.
For the time being we can call it 'corporatisation' of Nagaland politics. The club of 60 is hence a limited company and even like MNC.
However, Rio as a lieutenant of S C Jamir learned what he had to. Jamir often utilized the services of Rio and Therie to do networking/hobnobbing in Delhi.
Once very famously Jamir had deputed Rio and Therie to meet Sushilkumar Shinde, then AICC general secretary. and scuttle the ticket for the then NPCC president Chingwang Konyak. These experiences "enriched" Rio. He knew what matters more is -- you should have friends, Dimapur, Kohima, Kolkata and Delhi. You should have people in overground politics and elsewhere.
All these became his assets.
Thus in 2018 while a regionalist proud Shurhozelie negotiated fruitlessly with Ram Madhav (the latter was hardly serious about NPF). Rio knew the art of handling an ambitious BJP general secretary.
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| NPC convention of 2023 : Where Shurhozelie used Veto Power against Rio's takeover move |
The then BJP general secretary had billed himself in Delhi's "select media circle" and elsewhere as India's second Prime Minister from south. But the man in office -- from India's west -- later shunted him out. But RSS as an organisation can anytime reward Ram Madhavs.
Rio also learned the importance of "narratives" and hence every time he has to face election -- he plays his game well.
The 'Cock' symbol war is part of that strategy. It's a deception about so called 'regional pride'. The reality is something else.
Thus, the Rooster is caught in a dance with destiny it perhaps can't escape?
Let us recollect a bit of the drama of Oct 21, 2023.
In his brief address, outgoing NPF chief Shurhozelie apologised more than once saying maybe he has hurt people in discharge of his duties as the party chief.
"I have suspended many from the party during my time not on any ground of grudge but purely on party policy and principle". This was an important political message vis 2017 when the then Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio was almost pushed to the wall and that actually led to the floating of NDPP.
In his address, Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienu said, "There is a positive side to my withdrawal as candidate for party president....
I will save money....few crores...in next few years".
He also volunteered to advise -- "Those who supported Apong Pongener as president should also extend him financial and all types of help".
For his part, Mr Shurhozelie had his dosages of observations about money but his words sounded a critique of NDPP-BJP dispensation. "Money is a great servant and a bad master," said the outgoing NPF chief Shurhozelie in his farewell presidential address at the party's convention (Oct 21, 2023).
"The NPF is the party of the people as its name indicates. Therefore, if realisation is there in true sense, i would like to invite all our old friends to come back home again if they want to regain their rightful place in the society and in the party," these words were directed towards 21 now infamous detectors of 2022. He did point out not all detectors had happy ending under new "masters".
"Out of 21 MLAs, 14 of them were axed by their masters....out of 7 who took NDPP ticket, four faced defeat".
Money is still the bad master and many of those set to embrace Rio and the symbol Cock may be denied ministership as in 2025 and tickets in 2028.
In highly philosophical sense, people say - the first to forgive is the bravest.... but in politics - it is for certain - the first to forget is the Happiest.
Ask some NPF leaders and party workers and the 'party hoppers' from NDPP -- what will you forget first ... the response will be -- "Your question has come so late; we have already forgotten Ideology".
And lastly; if they do not forget - there could be irritating illustrations of Mani Shankar Aiyar and who may make them forget --- even the phrase "Lest you forget".
Think of a local BJP leader -- twitter friendly. They may even say : "Jai RSS .... I am going for a holy dip".
Power, Politics and Poison. Well; Money transaction is so easy these days.
Jai Digital India !!
ends
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