It need not matter if you are a Glass ... half-empty or one is a glass half-full. All that matters is a Glass is always Refillable.
This statement works often with non-performing assets in politics.
The BJP has cultivated four of them in north east. Himanta Biswa Sarma (an asset-turned-liability in Assam) and two others Neiphiu Rio in Nagaland and N Biren Singh in Manipur. And from the underground politics - centre encouraged and ego-boosted Thuinagleng Muivah and the 'gratitude' came back in the form of his Somdal address.
Narendra Modi maybe giving so much indulgence to Rio and Muivah; but he still holds the cards and the carpet underneath their feet could be pulled any day.
The Bolero politics may not work beyond a point.
This is now reflected by the success of Nov 18 rally organised under the aegis of the Common Platform. And for this credit ought to be given to the Nagaland Gaon Burah (GB) Federation - an influential body of village elders.
The clamour for an early Solution is crystal clear. The Status Quo club and the sponsor in chief (financial) and the co-sponsor (ideological from outskirts of Dimapur) did their best to sabotage the rally.
Retired IAS officer - L Khekiye Sema has been 'servant' to his conscious and extremely 'civil' in language when he called someone a Puppet Master.
Blinded by counseling of an extremely self-seeking team; the sponsor in chief of the Status Quo club has harmed himself/herself most by trying to sabotage the Nov 18 rally.
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| Prestigious Table : PM and Naga GBs |
It is not without good reason that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hailed for his strategic, often tricky and far sighted statements and gestures. Modi in June 2022 had applauded the rich cultural traditions associated with the 'Gaon Burah' - village elders - institutions while he was interacting with a group of young women students from Nagaland.
This was a big political statement and understandably that made a lot of political sense. 'Gaon Burahs' - as the word suggests in Nagamese or Assamese - are the village headmen. They are considered the eyes and ears of the civil administration at the village level.
In fact, Prime Minister Modi is the only Prime Minister to have called 'Gaon Burahs' of Nagaland for interaction with him in September 2020.
Khekiyes and Thejas understand the significance of GBs role in Naga life; so does the Prime Minister. But there are a few who want to treat them as mere Govt servants.
The non-performing sycophancy of 'I am Sorry' club continues and that is why unhesitatingly someone tried to circulate a theory that Nov 18 rally will be illegal.
Several 'bold' and 'public spirited' Naga leaders including the likes of Naga Hoho president Sulanthang Lotha and Z Lohe (former Assembly Speaker) had to tell people that the Nov 18 was not illegal.
Poor saboteurs had egg on the face. Not surprisingly, leaders from parties such as NPP or any other party who thought the Common Platform rally would be a flop show will get a share of the 'egg' too.
The more important question is --
- Why the Status Quo Club is against GBs involvement in Naga solution ?
I posed this question to some people in the Union Home Ministry. The response was :
"When are you going again to Nagaland? Please have your tea".
The message was clear -- he did not want to answer my question. Secondly, he is also aware that some Naga leaders, sycophants and intellectuals close to the Status Quo club are gradually growing more and more 'angry' with the Delhi-wallah non-Naga blogger.
But my same question to a retired military officer was answered ... with no nonsensical tone -- "Both the potent underground group and the political establishment are uncomfortable with GBs because their traditional politics through power brokers is challenged".
The spirit of the response -- the retired military man said -- "It's in a Nagamese statement ... Paisa hazam hoise ... khel toh khatam hua nae".
He meant -- they have done enough of corruption, they have enjoyed enough power .... but they are not yet ready call it a day and say enough is enough.
As some people can predict - my response was a good laughter and immediately - here is something to write about.
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| Tough man with Naxals is walking carefully with Naga talks |
On serious note; I understood the real factors at play.
The GBs can reach the 'real grassroots village level'.
PM Modi and the Govt of India realise that once awakened and convinced; only the GBs can defy the traditional or established authorities and a corrupt system.
This can change the status quo through an unarmed revolution - something Nagaland badly needs.
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| GB Federation chief |
Notably, around 2020 on peace parleys and the deliberate delay tactics, the Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation has earlier submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister insisting categorically that "there is no reason to account for the delay in concluding the ongoing phase of Naga peace talks".
In March 2022 again, the leaders of Gaon Burah Federation joined other Naga organisations and students bodies and Naga Global Forum to assert that the state government and the Nagaland legislature 'are not authorized' to speak on matters beyond the Indian constitution and what is defined and legitimate under the powers of the state government.
This explains why the 'other players' are also against the greater importance be given to the GBs. But village elders get the respect from the tradition itself and it's not illegitimate power unlike some 'unofficial' stakeholders who love to influence the way things move in and out of Kohima.
Another theory is in circulation; and it is totally misguided. There is an attempt to argue that between the Agreed Position and the Framework Agreement -- one of them is "outside the purview of Indian constitution".
This is worse than fiction because no interlocutor, no NSA and no PM is authorized by law to endorse any such pact. The signatory would be dismissed the next moment and if the President of India desires the person can be even tried under the provisions of treason.
Of course, the GoI will never 'implement' any such pact.
The fact of the matter is both the FA and the Agreed Position give due respect and legitimacy to the validity of the Constitution of India.
Another fact of the matter is no organisation can continue to do business with the central government if it has anything to do with diluting the spirit of the constitution.
If anyone has stood on ground 'firmly'' it is New Delhi. This is also not as a favour or anything else. Because the Govt of India has the mandate to respect the Indian Constitution and the Flag. There is no luxury to apply any other option.
Even politically indecisive Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh while in office had called him 'a servant of the Constitution'.
Modi has gone a step further. In presence of Neiphiu Rio and others at the Central Hall of old Parliament Building -- Modi had placed his forehead on a copy of the Constitution of India.
Sources revealed in the past too that by involving village elders the Prime Minister and his government had sought to play a major game-changer. It's almost the model tried in Kashmir.
Empowering the local administrative bodies - that is panchayats in Kashmir or Village Gaon Burah bodies in Nagaland - experts feel would be critical to improving the situations vis-a-vis insurgency and also resolve the problems in respective states.
Both the states are known for unending cycles of violence, protests over human rights and counter-violence by security forces.
In 2010, it is said that the Chief Minister of J&K, Omar Abdullah had told the Manmohan Singh government that he would try to empower the local panchayats.
In 2022, the GB Federation chief in Nagaland was served with a show cause notice for welcoming PM's Independence Day speech that corruption ought to be eradicated.
Mr Khekiye should pass on a word to serving babus in Nagaland.
'Yes Sir, Yes Sir ....' .... how many bags ??
ends
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