The COCK goes crowing ..... First Person :: An Open Letter from 'Cock' - the NPF symbol ..... :: Lest You Forget :::: Beating of a butterfly wings can unleash a Tsunami

 Dear all.... my masters... my followers.... my admirers and my critics -- 

All of you must know that under the title 'Lest we Forget' my 'regionalist ideologue' Shri Shurhozelie had penned a book a few years back. 

I am deliberately changing a word in the title for this Missive to one and all - in Nagaland and those 'outside' Nagaland state but very involved, engaged and interested in the Naga way of politics, life and power. The phrase 'Lest we forget' serves as a cautionary reminder -- what may we never forget.  

All Time Mr Clean of Nagaland Politics - Legendary Vizol 

The Naga peace talks - is a case study in complexity and failure. 

I am owned by 'regionalism'; but it is a fact of life that My Regionalism is not the solution in many ways.

In contrast, some of you may feel Cock and its political bosses are still the problem or a cause of multiple problems.  

First we all ought to understand the foundations of my owners/party. A Kevichusa or Vizol -- their form of leadership(s) is unrepeatable.  

The politics of Regionalism - was born in 1963, Oct 21 (about 40 days before the statehood). But it always regarded as a challenger of the status quo. 

An outfit of rebel leaders against established power. That's why one leader man years later (Vamuzo) - liked to describe them as "Fighting Cocks".

Today , both Regionalism in Naga polity and the Peace parleys in effect have given out 'many people to open multiple shops' in the name of Talks or facilitating the solution. At the same time; the Solution is kept at bay. 

And every other day new tricks are being played on to pin the blame on the centre or the negotiators of Delhi. It's like pinning jelly on the wall. 

A mark is left but the jelly would not stick. However, the business goes on. 

New walls, new bricks and fresh jars of jelly.

Now awaiting the merger; I, the Cock, hope that I could be the guiding light for what should happen next.

I say more so because - a powerful and influential Chief Minister of two decades stint is now my new owner. In Delhi - the refrain is the 'boy with the golden arm' is not doing enough to get enough wickets.

Or it's a case -- a student who can deliver 99 per cent marks and who has potentials -- is simply not doing/working hard enough.  

I hope to pursue him better after Oct 21, 2025.

Many of my stakeholders and even political rivals may easily say --- the Regonalism did not solve problems. In some ways, you all may be convinced that 'we the regionalists' have made things more difficult.  The NPF-BJP government came to power first in 2003 ousting the Congress veteran S C Jamir. The Naga talks were on already as things had started in 1997.

The Naga problem persists. The issues of Eastern Nagaland, developmental works, corruption, non-payment of salaries on time  - all have proved just as intractable. And most of the answers remain as elusive as were in the past.

Hokishe Sema with Rajiv Gandhi

But the politics of Nagaland also had the services of Congress party and their local stalwarts. Every Naga lives in this state "more deeply" made and marked by Congressism of the likes of Hokishe Sema and S C Jamir -- than by any other politician of the younger generation.

The impact or even fallout of these leaders is hard to miss but rarely fully acknowledged. 

Certain demerits or characteristics of changes are visible. The entire Naga polity if not the society by and large have been commercialised. It may not be erroneous to suggest that the present Naga governance and politics are completely detached from the people. 

Ask Mr Jamir - though a Congressman he was my patron too for a brief spell - and he would say --"all these because Nagas are wandering in political wilderness. And the entire show is being run according to whims and fancies of the underground leadership(s) and nearly 28 factions". 

But it is also a fact the Corruption menace was encouraged as the only way of life in Nagaland by the Congress regimes both in Kohima and in New Delhi.

At least two Ws -- Wealth and Wine were pushed by New Delhi as a tool to curb "insurgency". 

The same Congress party and the politics pursued by Delhi (even under BJP) has been the reason the people are so destructively divided. 

Blogger and Mrs and Mr S C Jamir 

Even today, the Congress leaders are seen the reasons -- why the Naga unity has not been ensured. 

The Naga psyche has been spoiled. One can say the Congressism in Nagaland and the BJP policies also following the same road maps are the reasons the forest, rivers and lakes are so polluted.

But as a political symbol, I will not give up. I only hope my new masters after Oct 21st, 2025 start a new mission. The pledge - to deliver a lasting peace.

As a political symbol; I will not take sides. Some of my NPF workers and supporters may feel, their party could never be wrong. Our opponents may say we could do nothing right.

But the truth is always nuanced.  Truth may be complex and at times the Truth is stranger than fiction. The beating of a butterfly wings can unleash a Tsunami.

Yours sincerely – the Cock. 

Ends