Kohima/New Delhi
Indicating that the gap between key alliance partners, the NDPP and the BJP have widened further,Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister and saffron party's floor leader in the assembly, Y Patton, on Monday snubbed Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and rejected his offer of the additional portfolio of Land Resources.
"...With deep sense of regret, it is to inform you that I have to gracefully decline and hereby refuse to accept the new allotment of portfolio given to me, that is the Department of Land Resources as I stand contended working together even without this additional assignment," Patton wrote in a letter to the Chief Minister.
On Saturday, Patton was divested of the portfolio of Roads and Bridges and the same was passed on toChief Minister Rio's party colleague H Chuba Chang, who is only an Advisor and not a minister in the cabinet.
A government notification signed by Chief Secretary J Alam had said that the portfolio of Roads
and Bridges would be henceforth catered to by Advisor H Chuba Chang.
The words quickly spread that Deputy Chief Minister Y Pattton and a section of BJP leaders were not happy.
NDPP President Chingwang Konyak had maintained that Nalin Kohli, BJP's in-charge
for Nagaland, who visited the state recently was taken into confidence by the Chief Minister.
BJP's regional partner believed that the new arrangement had to be accepted by the saffron party as the latter was ensured a Rajya Sabha berth in favour of S Phangnon Konyak.
The BJP leaders, however, say linking Rajya Sabha election to portfolio sharing was uncalled foras it was agreed earlier that while NDPP would contest Lok Sabha election in 2019, the Rajya Sabhaberth (in March 2022) would be given to the BJP.
The portfolio politics pertaining to the Ministry of Roads and Bridges is actually linked to electoral games and preparation for fast approaching state assembly polls. There is little gainsay to point out that this is a 'juicy portfolio' and elections in Nagaland are always considered one of the expensive affairs in Nagaland.
The state BJP leaders have complained to the high command that by garb of changing the portfolio,the Chief Minister Rio is now preparing ground for elections where NDPP will either merge with another regional party, NPF or will contest the polls in alliance.
All these seem part of the game to 'isolate' BJP - which on its part has earlier this month snappedties with its regional partners NPF and NPP in Manipur.
The move also smacks of encouraging corruption on the eve of polls, they say.
The regional parties in Nagaland are also obviously nervous that the saffron party would repeat the'Manipur model' in the state too and leave the two regional partners in the lurch at the last moment.
The state BJP leaders obviously say things are premature and the party is yet to finalise the electoralstrategy.
In sum and substance, the gap between NDPP and BJP has widened and either side could be blamingthe other. Both NDPP under Chingwang Konyak-Rio leadership and NPF under T R Zeliang-Shurhozeliecombine are constituents of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is the convener of the NEDA and he is expected in New Delhifor consultation on various issues.
In Nagaland, the BJP leaders by and large are happy with Patton's decision to reject the additional portfolio.
"It was a double game employed by Chief Minister Rio. The Department of Land Resources is with anotherBJP Minister, Paiwang Konyak, and so Patton has done the right thing. We cannot take each other's portfolio and allow NDPP to enjoy the larger size of the cake," a key BJP functionary told this journalist.
Some leaders propose to take up the entire matter with BJP organisational general secretary, B L Santhosh,and would even complain against Nalin Kohli's role.
"Kohli came here, met some frontal (Morcha) leaders briefly and, if at all, gave approval to the Chief Minister'smove," one leader remarked on the condition of anonymity.
Some BJP leaders say Patton's move to reject the additional portfolio is "a public spirited decision and a decision to uphold BJP's prestige".
"For our party, the nation and the governance comes first, not a portfolio of an individual. Rio and his party mustrealise this. He is not dealing with good old Congress culture politicians. The NDPP will do well to appreciatethat we do get feelers and a number of NDPP leaders at various positions and ranks may also join our party.He should read the message as a writing on the wall," a leader said.
Notably, in what was considered a key development when Patton on April 19 had said at a public function in Dimapur that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have been urged to announce 'resolution' of the Naga political problem during Independence Day.
Patton also said, peace emissary A.K. Mishra, who was in Nagaland and has been meeting important stakeholders, the students leaders and other social organisations should impress upon Mishra that 'enough is enough' and more than 25 years have been spent on negotiations.
BJP leaders indicate everything is 'linked' in politics. Once the Peace pact is inked, there will be a mega BJP wave in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they exude confidence.
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Russia-China ties are “unrestrained pact”, EU chief tells at Raisina Dialogue
New Delhi
The 7th edition of Raisina Dialogue got underway in New Delhi on Monday.
Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session, President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen said that India and the European Union share fundamental values and common interests as vibrant democracies.
Speaking in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ms Leyen referred to Russia-China friendshipand said - “They have declared that the friendship between them has ‘no limits’; that there are ‘no forbidden areas of cooperation', this was in February this year. And then, the invasion of Ukraine followed. What can we expect from the ‘new international relations’ that both have called for?” she wondered.
Calling the ties between Russia and China as an “unrestrained pact”, she maintained thatthe sanctions slapped on Russia are something of a “standalone solution”.
“They are embedded in a broader strategy that has diplomatic and security elements. And this is why we have designed the sanctions in a way to sustain them over a longer period of time. This gives us leverage to achieve a diplomatic solution that will bring lasting peace".
She said it is democracy that best delivers for citizens. Ms Leyen said that every five years when Indians cast their vote in Parliamentary elections, the world watches with admiration as the world's largest democracy charts its future path. The outcome of decisions made by 1.3 billion people resonates around the globe, she said.
She stressed that for the European Union's strengthening and energising, its partnership with India is a priority in this upcoming decade.
The EC President also expressed happiness at the launch of India EU Trade and Technology Council which will facilitate collaboration on expanded trade, technology and security.
Proposing the Vote of Thanks, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said, the EU has already articulated an Indo-Pacific and Connectivity strategy.
"In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave us the task of creating a ‘Make in India – Make for the World’ platform to debate contemporary issues. ....Seven years later, we have today in our midst 1200 participants drawn from 99 nations, ready to hear 100 panels and conversations. And I can say with all humility that the Raisina Dialogue is among the best in its class".
The three-day Dialogue is based on the theme - Terranova, impassioned, impatient, imperilled.
There are six broad thematic pillars of the Dialogue including Rethinking Democracy, End of Multilateralism, Water Caucuses, Achieving Green Transitions.
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