All eyes on Nitin Nabin's maiden meeting with new office bearers on Saturday ::: Old 'executives' may also attend

The BJP central leadership has convened the first meeting of new team of office bearers at the party headquarters on Saturday, Aug 22. 

Sources said the old office bearers - at least a select few - are also expected to attend.  Among others it will be addressed by party president Nitin Nabin and also BJP general secretary (Organisation) B L Santhosh.  

Nitin Nabin has kept a new team mostly but retained a number of time-tested old timers notwithstanding their limitations and controversies.  

The revamp charted out by PM Narendra Modi along with Amit Shah and Nitin Nabin represents a significant generational and strategic reset at least in numbers.

The party has ensured 51 of the 65 office-bearers to be new faces and there are 10 women faces including Vasundhara Raje Scindia.   

The elevation of Tariq Mansoor and Basit Ali from poll-bound Uttar Pradesh signaled a renewed effort to reach sections of Muslim voters, particularly as caste and sect-based identities reshape the community’s electoral  politics.  

Muslims account for roughly 20 per cent of the state’s population and are electorally significant across several regions. The BJP has repeatedly attempted in recent years to reach sections of the community, particularly Pasmanda Muslims — socially and economically marginalised groups within the Muslim community.

The elevation of Mansoor and Ali gives that outreach a more visible organisational face. But the strategy goes beyond Uttar Pradesh.  

 

The BJP president's new team retains several old faces while bringing back likes of articulate leaders Smriti Irani and Ram Madhav.

To some analysts; the BJP rejig is hardly a message for rebuilding the party for the next 10 years or so. The big-picture message is that Amit Shah, Union Minister for Home Affairs and former BJP president, will keep running the show.

Skeptics say, Nitin Nabin may continue to be a lacklustre and rubber-stamp party president.

There was no mega surprise in “Team Nabin.” 

Stale headlines came about everywhere about Ram Madhav’s return, but he is only a vice president. In BJP's scheme of things; vice president's post does not hold much political influence.

Even as general secretaries, there are two old names — Biplab Kumar Deb and Smriti Irani. Deb was shunted out of Tripura as a salvage-mission to save the state government in the state. Deb is too eager to go back for the prized fiefdom; but Amit Shah and Nitin Nabin are not willing to oblige him.  

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Smriti Irani was allegedly over ambitious but apparently, she may now find a larger space to take on Rahul Gandhi personally. Much to her credit of course, she had humbled Congress dynast at Amethi in 2019. 

From the north east, Nagaland MP Phangnon Konyak and Mriganka Deo Barman of Assam have made it to the national team besides Biplab Deb.  

The basic differences between the BJP and the Congress can be understood on two factors - 

-- one, the Lotus party is always in an election-preparation phase and secondly, -- while the battle is on it would apply new strategies and methodologies. 

In other words, it may not be too keen to fight the new battles exactly as it fought the previous ones.  

With Congress - generally it is not prepared in the organisation to fight elections and secondly - it would in all probability depend on old and time tested strategies only. Based on these assumptions, it would be worthwhile to examine the BJP's new plans vis-a-vis the Nabin Team and also the assignments given to the new office bearers.  

As many as 8  leaders from Uttar Pradesh have been taken in the new national organisation. Hence, without doubt winning Uttar Pradesh will be important. But there is pressure. 

It has won last two assembly polls - 2017 and 2022 and there will be anti incumbency and the law of the average working against the BJP. 

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Khasi Students’ Union trio sent to judicial custody after violence ::: 'logic of us and the ideology of others' motivates the root cause of identity politics in North East

On the face value, it appeared a genuine issue vis-a-vis transparency in ensuring Meghalaya Govt jobs. 

But things got derailed. 

On August 3, the Khasi Students Union (KSU) wrote a letter to Meghalaya CM, Conrad Sangma, seeking his immediate intervention regarding their five-point charter.

Among the demands raised by the KSU was the discontinuation of the requirement for personal interviews for recruitment to junior-level non-gazetted posts. In an eight-page letter to the CM, the KSU suggested that the interview process was a “big hurdle for fair and transparent recruitment”.

“Although there has been a clear-cut instruction from the Government of India, personal interviews are still continuing in the State, which is a big hurdle for fair and transparent recruitment,” the KSU letter said.

“Thus, the Union strongly demands that personal interviews for Grade B (non-gazetted) C and D must be abolished to curb corruption and strive ahead for fair and transparent recruitment.”  

The Meghalaya Police have now arrested three top leaders of the student organisation and indigenous pressure group Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) after Wednesday’s violence and vandalism in Shillong.  

The East Khasi Hills district police made the arrests hours after a bike rally and flag march organised by the KSU spiralled into widespread violence, leading to vandalism of public properties including two statues of Subhash Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda. Police officials said 31 vehicles were damaged in the violence.  

That the violence has turned parochial is sad, but not surprising. 

Local-non local problems have flourished all throughout eighties, nineties and perhaps even beyond. Many 'original Shillong residents' - Hindu Bengalis, Gorkhas and Biharis and even Assamese have left Shillong for good.  

If one is in northeast, he could be a man 'divided against himself'  

One issue in northeast and especially states like Meghalaya or Manipur is people's confusion. 

Can I be a 'nationalist' - that is committed to India - and yet be a good native Khashi, Meitei, Naga or a Mizo? 

Or do I have to give up being a good Khasi, Kuki, Sema or Angami and then become a good Naga or a good 'citizen of Manipur' or Meghalaya? 

The policy makers and the Indian 'mainstream' intellectuals have to come out of the old legacy. They have to give a convincing message that no man need to fear that by becoming a nationalist, he will make himself an anti-Mizo or anti-Naga. The arrest of the KSU leaders will give some positive signals. 

Previously, students' union leaders in north east were like 'sacred cows' - those could not be touched.  

In his masterpiece 'The Conquest of Happiness', Bertrand Russel says: "The man divided against himself looks for excitement and distraction... he loves strong passion."  

Russel further explains that "passion" takes the man "outside himself". This applies to human kind at the global stage, but it applies more to the people of the northeast.  

One is aware of the strong elements of 'us' and 'them' syndromes in the region. Some years back while working on these inherent issues between two and more communities; I was told by an expert that the 'logic of us and the ideology of others' motivates the root cause of identity politics in the northeast.

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“Nagas believed we had our own world, our own religion and our own Naga customs" - Naga veteran S C Jamir ::: Why the British Were Called “Stupid”

 In the course of our discussion a few years back, I asked veteran S C Jamir whether he ever thought that the Naga insurgency had been encouraged by the British colonial masters just before their departure from India. 

Jamir, a former Nagaland chief minister and former Governor of Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha, told me: “Many Indian officials at one point used to argue on these lines. In 1947, I was 16 years old, so I did not know much. 

But one thing is certain: Nagas were always a very proud community.”

“Nagas believed we had our own world, our own religion and our own Naga customs. In fact, each Naga tribe had its own traditions,” Jamir said.

He stated further that “the idea of Naga independence was almost inbuilt. Uncle A Z Phizo (founder of Naga movement) did lead us the right way.”

However, Jamir hastened to add: “But it is true, I had differences with him, especially when I began to work as a parliamentarian. 

We wanted to be practical. Once we had statehood and we and our party, NNO, were in power, we realised development, education and healthcare were very important to survive in the present civilisation. 

Jamir shared with me some anecdotes about his meeting with rebel leader A. Zapu Phizo in London in 1963.

Phizo is better known as the founder of the Naga “freedom” or militancy movement.

Apparently, the meeting between Jamir and Phizo was necessitated by the directives of the  Government of India.

In fact, many believe that during the negotiation stage too, Indira Gandhi — when Jawaharlal Nehru was prime minister — played a key role in trying to bring the situation in the Naga Hills under control.
Nagaland got statehood in 1963.

Jamir tried to be practical and impressed upon Phizo the need to be flexible in his approach so that peace and a lasting solution to the Naga issue could be worked out.  

Jamir also stated further that “the idea of Naga independence was almost inbuilt. Uncle Phizo did lead us the right way.”

However, Jamir hastened to add:

 “But it is true, I had differences with him, especially when I began to work as a parliamentarian. We wanted to be practical. 

Once we had statehood and we and our party, NNO, were in power, we realised development, education and healthcare were very important to survive in the present civilisation."  

He said: “That means the economy was important. We had only rice cultivation and horticulture. We were dependent on the Government of India.”   

“So, when I met Phizo, I told him, ‘Economics is important. Americans are doing well today. You are in London for so long; the British Government allowed you to stay, but they never uttered a single word supporting you or the NNC for Naga independence. Can you tell me why?’”Government

Jamir apparently asked this of Phizo. The response was: “Oh, they are just stupid.” Jamir started laughing.

While narrating the story after so many years, Jamir was again all smiles. I too joined him, almost in a natural manner of conversation. At one point, Jamir added: “I think Phizo liked the word ‘stupid’.”

Of course, I had to ask why he thought so.  

Jamir told Phizo: “Uncle, you are not at all practical. Let us try to solve the problem in your lifetime. Otherwise, we Nagas are going to suffer. 

We owe this to our people. The Government of India can be convinced if we also understand their position.”  

Jamir went on: “But Phizo was simply not getting my point. He was not agreeing to the idea of a negotiated settlement in the manner New Delhi had drawn the parameters. Indira Gandhi and others in Delhi wanted everything within the Indian Constitution.”

“I had served as an MP and a parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs and PM Nehru. I understood the gravity of the Constitution. Even I was under oath,” Jamir told me.

“I think I said this in a jovial mood to Phizo: ‘Even one of your close relatives married an Indian Army officer.’” Phizo, understandably, according to Jamir, again said: 

“Well, she is also stupid.”

To this, Jamir reportedly told Phizo: “No, sir; this is not stupid. This is life. When a young man and a young woman meet, many things work.” 

I knew one of S.C. Jamir’s sisters was married to a Dimapur-based Bengali medico, Dr. S. Sen. I asked him: “Sir, even your sister married a Bengali doctor.”

Jamir was not at all embarrassed.

“Exactly. My family members initially said so many things. I loved my sister. I told her, ‘Nothing doing. If you marry him, he is also part of our larger family.’

“He was Sylheti, from the Sylhet region, originally in Bangladesh.”

During Jamir’s conversation with Phizo, when it came to British policy vis-a-vis the Naga issue, the former chief minister told the Naga rebel leader: 

“You know why the Britishers are silent? It is because they handed over India, and that included the Naga Hills, to the  Government of India under an international law — the Indian Independence Act, 1947.”  

“The British Government is not stupid. 

The Indian Independence Act, 1947, was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into two new independent dominions: India and Pakistan. This law was given royal assent on July 18, 1947. 

Hence, they could not eat back their own words.”

“I was interviewed by a senior journalist in Mumbai. I told her that, to a large extent, I agree with the argument that the Government of India did not create the Naga problem. They inherited it from the Britishers,” Jamir added.

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"Nothing Shines forever ... reflection from 2024 !! ::::: But here comes ... BJP's most talked about Chief Minister !! ::: Can he make 2027 "the Year of My Life" ?? :::: What could be next destination of this Hindu hardliner ? :: 'Ram Leher' went missing in UP ??

 In Focus - Yogi Adityanath

 Ambition - He may be sure - the rest of the world need not know 

 Two Major victories - 1. Becoming Chief Minister in 2017

                                      2. Winning UP polls in 2022

Next test == 2027 Assembly elections

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at Gorakhpur 

The saffron-clad Adityanath, born Ajay Singh Bisht in 1972, is 54 -years-old.

That means he is 22-years younger than Narendra Modi, who was born on Sept 17, 1950.

In 2017 and in several elections after March 2017; Adityanath emerged the new face of the BJP. There was a problem associated with that. He perhaps became "direct competitor" to Amit Shah - now trusted friend of many years to 'numero uno' of Indian politics, Narendra Modi. 

Even if both the leaders have not said anything about being rivals to one another; the media is convinced they are.  

Pm Modi : With Atal family in 2018 

UP strongman Yogi changed a lot about politics in his state. 

 
For long playing up caste cards to the hilt, the BSP of Mayawadi and Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party dominated political mind space in Uttar Pradesh. Even the defeat of 2017 and 2022 did not change their politics, but in 2022 assembly polls and later in the elections to the Urban Local bodies; ULB; the Lotus party came out with flying colours.  

The BJP managed to pick up 55 of the 147 seats reserved for OBCs. 

Akhilesh Yadav also failed to win over the non-Yadav OBC votes and the saffron outfit decided to work well in the Yadav heartland and other areas.  Take another set of statistics. 

Out of 82 SC-reserved seats for chairpersons in Nagar Panchayats, the BJP won a maximum of 37, followed by SP with 14, and Mayawati-led BSP could win only five seats. 

It is also worth taking note that among OBC candidates fielded by political parties in Nagar Panchayat chairperson seats, 90 of the BJP’s nominees were elected. Independents won 83. Out of the 545 Nagar panchayat chairperson seats, Samajwadi Party candidates won 38, while BSP of Mayawati got only 23. 

Of the 90 OBC candidates of the BJP, 27 were elected in unreserved seats.    

Adityanath is chief priest of the state's famed Gorakhnath (Shiva) temple in Gorakhpur, the region where he wields unquestionable political influence perhaos also because of his hard-line views on Hindu religion and practice.  

But Yogi and BJP suffered a major setback in 2024 parliamentary polls. One issue was joblessness of the middleclass. Narratives sold. 

A decade back before the crucial 2014 polls; the BJP had promised jobs would be the top priority. Yet unemployment has barely budged despite India being the world’s fastest growing major economy. 

Four-fifths of its unemployed are young people, said surveys in 2024.

It was also alleged that more working-age women were employed that year as a percentage of the workforce in Nepal and Bangladesh than in India. 

The BJP detractors sold another powerful line : The fruits of growth are landing in the lap of India’s rich, drawn almost exclusively from country’s the upper castes who back the BJP. 

Congress made a big 'recovery' winning 99 Lok Sabha seats

Why BJP went so wrong in 2024 polls?

The Lotus party, a state leader said, had reports that workers in several constituencies such as Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Fatehpur Sikri, Mohanlalganj, Pratapgarh, Kaushambi, Allahabad, Faizabad and Jaunpur were not happy with the choice of candidates but the objections were overlooked.

The argument was Modi magic will help sail the boat. It did not. 

In contrast, Akhilesh Yadav choreographed his Samajwadi Party’s election strategy revolving around the theme of ‘Roti, Kapada sasti Ho and Dawai Pani Muft Ho’ (People should get cheap bread and butter and water and medicine free)."  And it gave dividends. 

Was Yogi-Amit Shah differences really damaging ?

Perceived friction between Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi and Amit Shah became a major talking point post electoral setbacks, notably after the BJP's reduced tally in Uttar Pradesh.

The opposition narratives and media analyses framed these rumored differences as a deep leadership tussle or a clash over future political succession.

 A 90 year old voter in Punjab, 2024 Lok Sabha elections 

 

There were other facets. The self-interest of a community (Muslims) was apparently hit by Modi's culture of politics and the politics of culture he tried. 

Developments, house for poor including Muslims and good roads and toilet did not matter. The Muslims united to vote for Trinamool in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. This was not communal  !! 

But Hindus voting for Ram temple was communal? 

Do not miss the rejoice in Pakistani newspaper headline that described Nitish Kumar and N Chandrababu Naidu as 'pro-Muslim' leaders !! 

The so-called 'Ram Leher' went missing. 

Why BJP lost Ayodhya and Faizabad? Why UP voters simply turned anti-BJP and anti-Modi-Yogi team ? 

Perhaps more importantly, why could not BJP strategists led by Amit Shah and supervised by the Prime Minister  read the missive of people's angst ?

'Times of India' said :

"Nothing Shines forever -- Not even Brand Modi" 

The BJP and Yogi took some corrective steps in by-polls later but overall 2027 battle will be tough.  

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41 per cent of 2024 IAS batch are women, says Vice-President Radhakrishnan

 Women constitute nearly 41 per cent of the 2024 IAS batch, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan said on Thursday, calling their growing representation in the civil services an impressive testimony to Nari Shakti.

Addressing the valedictory ceremony of Phase II training for the 2024 batch of IAS officer trainees at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Radhakrishnan said talent rises above stereotypes and determination helps individuals overcome barriers.

He urged the young officers to ensure that development initiatives reach the most disadvantaged citizens and said inclusive governance would be crucial to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

He asked the officers to make “a spirit of service and a sense of duty” their guiding principles throughout their careers.

“Every development effort must benefit the person standing at the farthest end of society. Development can be meaningful only when it is inclusive,” he said.

Radhakrishnan stressed the importance of teamwork and asked the officers to build strong, coordinated teams, inspire colleagues and carry forward effective administrative practices established by their predecessors.

“True administrative success lies not in individual brilliance but in the ability to bring people together and deliver as a team,” he said.

He also urged the trainee officers to use emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, natural language processing, machine learning and blockchain, to improve the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of public services.

Retired judges, ex-top cops on Supreme Court panel to probe Jantar Mantar stir police action, violence :::: FIRs were filed at Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations

Retired judges, ex-top cops on SC panel to probe NEET stir police action, violence

Several FIRs were filed at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations

The Supreme Court has formed a High-Powered Committee headed by former SC judge Justice R Subhash Reddy to probe police excesses and violence during last month's Delhi student protests. 

The panel will also examine alleged violence by protesters, targeted violence, harassment and molestation of women protesters, and whether police used force lawfully and proportionately.  

Widespread violence was reported during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led "Sansad Chalo" march on July 20, which coincided with the first day of the Monsoon Session. What began as a peaceful protest turned into a battleground, with students breaking through barricades and police resorting to lathi charges, tear gas and, in some instances, pellet guns to quell the protests.

The committee comprises former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha, former Delhi High Court judge Justice Shalinder Kaur, former CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla and former Meghalaya DGP LR Bishnoi.

Several FIRs were registered at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations in connection with the violence, with several protesters booked on charges including attempted murder and damage to public property.  

The Supreme Court said the panel was constituted keeping in mind the expertise, experience and diversity of its members, and expressed confidence that its recommendations would assist the court in comprehensively assessing the issues.  

Importantly, the court clarified that the HPC's inquiry will not be a one-time exercise. It will conduct a continuous and periodic assessment of the issues and submit interim findings to the court, enabling it to take appropriate measures and issue directions, if required.

WHAT WILL THE HIGH-POWERED COMMITTEE PROBE?

The Supreme Court has asked the committee to prioritise allegations of targeted violence, harassment and molestation of female protesters, given the sensitivity of the issue.

The panel will also examine allegations of grievous injuries and harm caused to protesters by police and security personnel, including the chain of command that led to such actions, those responsible and whether existing laws, rules or norms were breached while using force.

Among the specific issues before the committee are allegations of excessive force against protesters, including the use of pellet guns, electric batons, lathi charges and tear gas without adequate warning or proportionality.

It will assess whether police responses during protests, public gatherings and peaceful assemblies were proportionate and measured, and examine the desirability of banning metallic kinetic projectiles or pellets fired from pump-action or projectile-action guns.

The HPC will also examine whether police and security personnel wore proper uniforms and visible nameplates while making arrests or using force.

NSCN-IM Hebron seeks 'details' about Kuki militants and ZUF presence in Ukhrul region ::: "You are directed to submit factual reports"

In a move seen as preparing for tougher conditions in the near future, the NSCN-IM (Hebron) has directed its local unit commanders in Ukhrul to furnish "details" about area of Kuki militants, ZUF (Zeliangrong) or any other militant camps in the hills of Manipur. 

A 'directive' signed Aug 18th and addressed to Ukhrul region commanders says: "You are directed by the competent authority to submit your factual reports ...".  

Angami Nagas during Hornbill Fest : File snap 

The directives include among other things "a sketch map of your area  jurisdiction..." and also details of area of dominance and operations by rival militants groups such as ZUF, Kuki militants. 

Sources in Delhi say the order also sought details about "violations" of Agreed Ground Rules vis-a-vis the ceasefire by the Indian security forces "mentioning the location".  

This episode is taken with seriousness in Delhi and necessary precautionary measures may be have to be taken at the earliest.  All these only indicate that situation is quite vulnerable in Naga hills of Manipur.  

Those in the know of things say there have been movements among Naga militants in the last few months and the new area of hyper activities would be the Kamjong-Chassad belt.

Chassad is a major village and historical sub-division located in the Kamjong district of Manipur. It serves as a key administrative and residential circle in the hilly border region not far from Myanmar.

A large number of Kukis from these areas (an estimated 600 plus) have reportedly abandoned their houses and moved towards Churachandpur region. 

There have been few incidents of skirmishes between Naga women and security forces. However, things have been brought under control. The Kamjong region has also emerged as a route for booming timber trade. 

And local workers say it is a lucrative business but lot of money have to be distributed in vulnerable junctions. 

  

Things are also of general concern because of the split in the NSCN-IM as the Eastern Flank has reportedly started working in Myanmar. 

Making things more complex and challenging; the breakaway Easter Flank group has declared that the spirit of the 1997 ceasefire agreement with New Delhi has ceased to exist. 

While this is a direct invitation for gunfight with state police and central forces; tensions spiked lately after four Eastern Flank cadres were killed the Kamjong district.

The Eastern Flank had accused the central leadership at Camp Hebron of compromising on core demands for Naga sovereignty and accepting a piecemeal solution. 

The charge is emphatically denied by the Hebron leadership.

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