BJP's political journey in Nagaland linked to Manipur polls : Stage set for 4th phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh

BJP's political journey in Nagaland linked to Manipur polls

New Delhi

The BJP made a triumphant entry into Nagaland legislative assembly in 2003 when it wonas many as seven seats in the 60-member assembly.

The saffron party has seen many ups and downs since then and even prior to 2003 era.

In 2018 assembly polls, it picked up 12 seats having contested only 20 as part of seat adjustmentswith pre-poll partner NDPP.

Neiphiu Rio-led NDPP won 18 out of 40 seats it contested. 

A robust BJP riding on Narendra Modi's popularity in two general elections 2014 and 2019 has certainly made life tough for the regional politics across the country.  It's more so in the north east. 

The 'Manipur model' of BJP wherein it decided to contest all 60 seats of own and dumped the NPP of Conrad Sangma) and the NPF from Nagaland has definitely alarmed NDPP and also NPF in Nagaland.

In Manipur, the BJP is now contesting all 60 seats and eyeing a government of its own. The possibilitiesof the saffron party hoping to get a chief minister of own in Nagaland is not ruled out. 

Moreover, a lot of the future of Naga politics is dependent on the fate of progress in Naga peacetalks. Among Naga leaders N C Zeliang and Pius Lotha were early birds in the BJP camp both having contestedassembly polls.In fact, in 1993, no less than cinestar Shatrughan Sinha had campaigned for N C Zeliang for the prestigiousDimapur I assembly seat.

The 2003 assembly polls were crucial for the BJP and the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeemade mention of the party's performance in Nagaland saying, "We did so due to our policies and ideologiesas not many national level leaders also campaigned for our candidates in Nagaland polls".

Former Nagaland chief minister Hokishe Sema was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party in presence of BJP vice-president Pyarelal Khandelwal and party in-charge of North East V Satish. 

The BJP became one of the constituents of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland led by Neiphiu Rioas the alliance humbled Congress stalwart S C Jamir and emerged as the largest political entity bagging 29 seats in the 60-member House.

Hokishe Sema had been three-time CM in Nagaland and had to his credit spearheading the Congress debut in Nagaland in the 1960s.

Sema also had served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

Interestingly, the BJP always had good connections with regional (non-Congress leaders) in Nagalandand former Chief Minister Vamuzo used to bank heavily on national non-Congress leaders such asL K Advani, George Fernandes and Chandrashekhar.

In fact, during BJP's National Executive meet in Mumbai, Vamuzo as a Christian and a tribal leader was feliciated by the saffron party and also presented a Kashimiri shawl.

Another regional stalwart Vizol Angami worked closely with the BJP leadership as Rajya Sabha MPand so did NPF members like Wangyu Konyak, Neiphiu Rio himself (in 2014) and others.

During the CAA debate in 2019, NPF member K G Kenye said in Rajya Sabha on Dec. 11 (2019)that the issues related to CAA had been taken completely out of context. 

"What is raised at the regional level on the ground and what is happening at the national level has taken a completely different turn. Our people in the Northeast have no religious bias."

He backed the new bill and his party strangely took a disciplinary action against him.

Now all eyes are on outcome of Manipur polls as also the turn of events in UP elections.

A strong mandate in favour of the saffron party will strengthen Team Modi's confidence inDelhi and then it is expected some decisive decisions could be taken on matters related toNagaland as well.

Some behind the scene conclaves suggest the NPF and the NDPP are proposing merger politics.

There is a move that Neiphiu Rio may even get the organisational leadership of the united regionalplatform.

But Rio is a pragmatic leader and will soon draw out a realistic political line to do business with the BJP.

Henceforth, the role of BJP cannot be underestimated in Nagaland politics. 

ends 

Stage set for 4th phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh on Feb 23 

Lucknow/ New Delhi

In Uttar Pradesh three phases of polls are over. The fate of candidates in as many as 172 assembly segments including politically crucial Yadav heartland and Jat heartland are over.

On Feb 23, elections will be held across 59 assembly constituencies in as many as nine districts.

Districts to be covered in this phase on Wednesday for voting are 

Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Hardoi, Unnao, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Banda and 

Fatehpur. 

In Rae Bareli at the Lok Sabha polls (2019), Sonia Gandhi had suffered a substantial loss of support base.

Though she could retain the seat, there was a negative voting of an estimated 8 percent as compared to

her performance in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

'Rebel' Congress legislator Aditi Singh deserted the grand old party and joined BJP in November last year.

She is not the saffron party nominee. 

The voters will decide the fate of 624 candidates on Wednesday's polling.

Importantly, a good performance by the BJP in Lakhimpur Kheri strengthen Union Minister Ajay Mishra's 

 stature politically. 

Five years back, the BJP swept the region winning 51, ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) had bagged one seat while

the Samajwadi Party picked up four and three had gone to the Bahujan Samaj Party. 

Slowly the merciless caste equations could come into play in Uttar Pradesh elections.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav, will be eyeing this phase closely. 

There are 14 reserved constituencies in this phase and hence comes the importance of BSP

chief Mayawati also. BJP chief strategist Amit Shah has said that it would be erroneous to

dismiss BSP as the political force in the state.

Rae Bareli also falls in this phase and the Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi's prestige has already

taken a beating due to desertion.

It goes without stating that unlike the past, 'caste handling' is now BJP's biggest strength.

The saffron party in 2021-22 is far more 'representative' of all castes in UP - of course - barring

the Muslims.

Hamid Rizvi from Unnao says, "English media analysts seldom bother to take note that between 

2012-13 to 2019-20, the BJP has worked hard on transforming its social-caste base. OBCs came

to centre stage more by default than any concrete plan. Now that it has come, the BJP has nurtured

this strength".

From fourth phase till seventh, hence the caste equations would strongly work in favour of the BJP.

Even among BJP foot soldiers and poll strategists in segments such as Pilbhit, Sitapur and Lucknow, there

is a spirit of enthusiasm.

"Some analysts are busy pushing their line that Samajwadi Party is putting up a tough fight. They also

paint the elections to be bipolar. They forget Hindutva agenda and also lawlessness during Akhilesh

rule between 2012 and 2017. I think more than the political parties, some analysts are in for

rude shock on the counting day," said one BJP booth manager in Lucknow

The hype about farm laws is also created by a section and at best this issue figured in voters' mind in 

the Jat heartland.

Several other issues like free ration and improved law and order situation will push the BJP yet again,

they exude confidence.

ends 

File snap: Jaishankar in Australia

How India sees France - from the perspective of EAM Dr Jaishankar

New Delhi

Stating that the world is now amid multiple crises, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankarsaid France has been a "trusted partner" of India and which is central to multipolarity and rebalancing the international community.

"Succinctly put, I would say, as a major power with a global outlook and an independent mindset. One, that is central to multipolarity and rebalancing. Equally important, one that is extremely responsive to India’s concerns and priorities. That has a long history as a trusted partner. And one which is becoming even more relevant as we jointly address contemporary and emerging challenges," Dr Jaishankar

said in his speech at the French Institute of International Relations in Paris on ‘How India sees France’

In response to new global challenges and uncertainty, the Minister said polities are searching for reliable and resilient partners. 

"Those with shared values and common vision obviously fit the bill more perfectly. That is certainly the case with France and India. Especially in the last two decades, India has transformed many of its relationships, in its extended neighbourhood as much as at the global level. Our relationship with France, though, is one that bridges multiple generations. History is certainly an asset for this particular account". 

"...I can assert with genuine confidence that it (Indo-French tie up) is the strongest now since our journey as an independent nation began 75 years ago," he said.

Earlier, the External Affairs Minister hinted at security problems posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region at a conference on Indo-Pacific cooperation between the European Union and a select group of Asian foreign ministers.

"Today, we see challenges on that score with the clarity that proximity brings," Jaishankar said.

He added: "And believe me, distance is no insulation. The issues we confront in the Indo-Pacific will extend beyond, even to Europe."

ends