BJP brings in game-changer Sainik, Eknath Shinde, as Chief Minister ! Big message for Bengal and Rajasthan ?

Showing the greed to stay put on power, or ill-advised by 'pawar', Uddhav reshuffled portfolios of 9 rebel MLAs of Shinde camp on June 27 - just 48 hours before his resignation.

Urban Development, Public Works Dept (Public Undertaking) of Eknath Shinde was assigned to Subhash Desai.

“We are Balasaheb’s staunch Shiv Sainiks… Balasaheb has taught us Hindutva. We have never and will never cheat for power with Balasaheb’s thoughts and Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb’s teachings,” - Eknath Shinde 

Devendra Fadnavis saying - he won't be part of the Shinde-led ministry.
But he later agreed at the directives of BJP chief J P Nadda, tweeted Amit Shah ....

"यह निर्णय महाराष्ट्र के प्रति उनकी सच्ची निष्ठा व सेवाभाव का परिचायक है।

BJP has 120 MLAs but despite that Devendra Fadnavis didn't take the post of CM. I express my gratitude to him along with PM Modi, Amit Shah & other BJP leaders that they showed generosity & made Balasaheb's Sainik (party-worker) the CM of the state: Eknath Shinde

"...BJP's central leadership has decided that Devendra Fadnavis should become a part of the Govt. So, made a personal request to him and Central leadership has said that Devendra Fadnvais should take charge as Deputy CM of Maharashtra..," BJP national president JP Nadda said.  ....

What all went on and what all were said -- 

Has Uddhav given up 'Hindutva politics' permanently !

# We got emotional yesterday when Uddhav Thackeray resigned as Chief Minister. Everyone has faith in Uddhav Thackeray; people of every caste & religion support him. Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar trust him: 

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut 

As they began losing power they took this decision...I want to tell Uddhav Ji that history can't be changed, can change names...You're setting a great example of cheap politics. Only people can decide which name of Aurangabad will stay: Imtiaz Jaleel, AIMIM MP from Aurangabad (on June 29)  

Uddhav Thackeray offered prayers at a temple with sons Aaditya and Tejas after submitting his resignation as Maharashtra CM to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari

I had come (to power) in an unexpected manner and I am going out in a similar fashion. I am not going away forever, I will be here, and I will once again sit in Shiv Sena Bhawan. I will gather all my people. I am resigning as the CM & as an MLC: Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray 

I am satisfied that we have officially renamed Aurangabad to Sambhaji Nagar and Osmanabad to Dharashiv - the cities named by Balasaheb Thackeray: Uddhav Thackeray

I am sad that the ones we are supporting, who had said that they will now be secular after being with the wrong people for 30 years, are doing this on the last day: Abu Asim Azmi 

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, on Thursday, via social media shared her reaction to Uddhav Thackeray’s recent resignation from the post of Maharashtra Chief Minister.

The ‘Queen’ actor took to her Instagram handle and shared a minute-long video along with the caption, “When evil takes over, destruction is imminent. After that, there is creation. The lotus of life blooms.”

A case of spokesman Spoiling the show

Uddhav loyalist Sanjay Raut on Monday defended his “living corpses” remark against the rebel MLAs stating that it was a manner of speaking in Maharashtra and said he did not want to hurt anyone’s sentiment.

Speaking to the media persons, Raut said, “Their bodies are alive, but their soul is dead, it is a way of speaking in Maharashtra. What wrong did I say? Those who stay in a party for 40 years and then run away, their souls are dead, they do not have anything left in them”, these are the lines said by Dr Ram Manohar Lohia. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s sentiment, I just said the truth.”

“I tweeted a video of the speech of Gulabrao Patil where he is talking about those who change their fathers. What he said is correct for all those sitting in Guwahati. My tweet is for people sitting in Guwahati. Patil said in his speech. People eat, drink and enjoy with the party and then change their father, we aren’t like them,” added Raut.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who is battling hard to save the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, on Saturday said no one can use the name of his father Balasaheb Thackeray.

His remarks, which were made during the Shiv Sena’s executive party meet, came in response to the rebel group led by Eknath Shinde, who have announced to their group as ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb’.

“Some people are asking me to say something but I’ve already said that they (rebel MLAs) can do whatever they want to do, I won’t interfere in their matters. They can take their own decision, but no one should use Balasaheb Thackeray’s name,” Thackeray 

Namo saving Balasaheb's legacy 

Despite having 106 MLAs, BJP took this decision (of making Eknath Shinde the CM). It means they have shown large heartedness...As Devendra Fadvanis enters the cabinet, it will be a boost for the cabinet. It'll be a help to get clearances from Delhi: Shiv Sena MLA Deepak Kesarkar

Onus now on Sickulars, liberal media to withdraw 'wrong narrative' on Godhra

-- A strong refrain was created that while Godhra station fire was bad, the 'worst' narrative was that the Kar Sevaks or the Ram Bhakts had it coming.)

New Delhi

Good thing about democracy is that often its 'test' is time taking. Now that the ruling
has come from the highest court of the land, a large section of sickulars, political
protagonists, intellectuals and media ought to tender an apology for pursuing their
wrong narratives for years. 

Perhaps that's not possible as high-pedestal egos are already hurt badly, and seeking
any apology would be like adding 'salt to the injuries' to use a commonly used desi phrase.

Even media persons in the past believed that things were overdone 'overboard' and the media have passed the judgement rather harshly on the Hindus especially for the Godhra station inferno.

A general but a strong refrain was created that while Godhra station fire was bad, equally or 'more bad' was the Hindu retaliation. But the 'worst' narrative was that the "Kar Sevaks or the Ram Bhakts  perhaps deserved all that". 

Stories were circulated about some quarrel in Ujjain station between Muslims and Hindu passengers.

All these were found to be untrue.

Even 'The Hindustan Times' run by a well known pro-Congress group and an article

by senior journalist and no sympathiser of  the right wing, Vir Sanghvi had written way back in

2002 itself that - "There is something profoundly worrying in the response of of what might be called

the secular establishment in the massacre in Godhra", - is that "the sub-text of all secular

commentary is the same - the Kar Sevaks had it coming".

"...Basically, they condemn the crime, but blame the victims". Vir Sanghvi wrote.

(Reference available - https://virsanghvi.com/Article-Details.aspx?key=611) 

In fact, the public anguish was gauged by many stakeholders.

VHP International Vice-President Acharya Giriraj Kishore had told reporters in Ahmedabad (Feb 28, 2002)

at the Sola Civil Hospital, that - “Hindus should maintain calm and keep patience. I appeal to Muslim brethren 

to condemn the attack (Godhra) and ask them not to test Hindus’ patience". 

He had cautioned too, " ...there can be a counter reaction which may be uncontrollable”.

To a question, he had even shot back -- “Do I have to say for every action there is a reaction"?

A few days later this quote basically based on Newton's Third Law of Motion was attributed to Chief

Minister Narendra Modi -- and the Chief Minister during his visit to Mumbai about a month later at a press conference

at the BJP office had denied having said so.

In fact, Modi even said, "As an arts student, I hardly understood what the statement actually meant".

The editorial in 'The Tribune' almost passed a judgement on the then Modi government in the state.

"When the beast in man comes to the surface, he goes beyond the pale of the canons of civilised society. 

Unfortunately, the Gujarat government has not handled the outbreak with as firm a hand as it was expected to do. 

Because of the party affiliations, this is going to be perceived not as an error of omission but that of commission".

It also advised Hindus to be tolerant of what went on in Godhra -

"Hinduism has a glorious tradition of remaining unruffled even amidst gravest adversities. At times like this, 

the ultimate sign of bravery is not to repay in kind but to bear the hurt with equanimity."

This journalist had landed in Ahmedabad in the early morning of Feb 28, 2002 - a day after the Godhra

train was burnt. Needless to say, the TV debates and media articles made local Hindus 'more angry'.

In many places, they cited these commentaries from political leaders of 'sickular lot' and experts away in

communists-ruled Bengal lecturing Hindus to accept the violence and Godhra carnage as something as part of life.

The condemnation against Muslims was not to that extent even as local civil and police officials had 

complained even otherwise Godhra was 'notorious' for crime and typical ani-Hindu incidents of violence.

And some well known TV anchrors sounded more like activists for Muslim organisations

and said, any governmnt either in Delhi or Gandhinagar "should not be seen to be working in a partisan manner".

All these made local Hindus get angry and annoyed further. 

The police firing claiming several Hindu arsonists were hardly mentioned or reported and 

so called human interest stories generally focussed on minorities only.

It was often mobocracy working. Reporters like me got specific instructions from Delhi to

focus on 'Muslim victims' and after things settled for a while and little semblance of normalcy ensured

setting up of relief camps - again the stories in media both print and electronic generally narated

only Muslim agony.

This used to be the vocal complaints from a large number of Hindu residents of Ahmedabad

in Navrangpura, Maninagar and other Hindu-stronghold localities.

The VHP had circulated a pamphlet in 2002 and raised vital questions for the 'sickular' establishment -

"Why did you not visit Godhra the day Hindus were burnt?"

and "By descending on Gujarat and visiting only Muslim minorities areas only, are you not insulting

Hindus and those burnt brutually alive in Godhra"?

These questions have not been answered yet.

ends 

SC endorses Nanavati-Shah panel report: 'Ramsevaks haven't done anything' :::: Who sparked off fire in Godhra, any Pak angle ?

Who sparked off fire in Godhra, was there a foreign angle ?

New Delhi

Anything related to Godhra and post-Godhra mayhem in Gujarat makes headlines.

Two so called 'crusaders' Teesta Setalvad and former cop R B Sreekumar are now under custody of Ahmedabad ATS.

Now that the Supreme Court has finally given a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi upholding the magisterial court's orders, many suggest it may be time to probe in detail whether the Godhra train inferno was preplanned. Whether there was any Pakistan angle?

When Narendra Modi used to scream 'Mia Musharraf', did he mean 'the unknown Indian voters' or the Pakistani elements? When Akshardham temple at Gandhinagar on Sept 24, 2002 was attacked by two young terrorists from across the border, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said - 'yeh aag Kisne lagai". His reference was seen as a veiled attack on Pakistan only.

Prime Minister Vajpayee, who cut short his foreign trip to visit the temple, echoed similar sentiments blaming Pakistan. "Yeh sochi samjhi sazish thi (This was a well thought out conspiracy)".

The BJP, the VHP and other Sangparivar elements have all along since 2002 alleged that the Godhra

railway platform mayhem of Feb 27, 2002, was 'preplanned' by Islamist forces.

One common refrain from Gujarat police and ministers from time to time - beginning 2002 - has been

that "such a huge mob could not have been collected or gathered unless there was a deliberate attempt

to incite violence".

Narendra Modi, then Chief Minister of Gujarat, perhaps had his own reasons to

suspect a conspiracy or a plot from across the border.

There would have been some elements keen to derail the Ayodhya movement of the Hindus and

the Sanghparuvar and to a large extent - all these were also seen as attempts to 'defame' the then

Vajpayee government.

Late Vajpayee during his visit to the relief camp had said - "Mein kaun sa chehre leke desh ke bahar

jauangoa (With what face can I know go abroad?)"

Even Vajpayee's Defence Minister, George Fernandes, used to say that the strategic ramifications of the

entire plot could not be underestimated or ignored.

In fact, at the fag end of riots on September 24, 2002, two Pakistani terrorists were involved

in the attack on Akshardham temple at Gandhinagar.

Not surprisingly, on Sept 25, 2002, the then Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani (in-charge of Home portfolio)

told reporters at Akshardham premses only that hitherto unheard off 'Tehrike-e-Kasas (outfit of revenge)' terrorists

chose to attack the Akshardham temple with the intention to hold a number of people hostage and then get their

demands fulfilled.

Indian 'secular parties' did not condemn or react to the railway station inferno on Feb 27,2002 till the anti-Muslim

violence was triggered off in Ahmedabad and other places on Feb 28, 2002.

 

In fact the Railway Police Force FIR lodged on Feb 27 (2002) itself was the 'first' authentic version available

about the incident. It had categorically said that provocative appeals made over loudspeakers from a nearby

Masjid had surcharged the atmosphere.

It also claimed - "miscreants from the minority community had planned to attack more coaches and the

passengers had closed all windows and doors and thus made themselves captive targets".

The RPF version maintained that the train was stopped for the 'second time' by removing the vacuum

pump. Three RPF personnel on duty - Karan Singh, Sri Mohan Yadav and Ambaresh Kumar - fired

four rounds from .303 rifles.

Ambaresh also alerted other colleagues and the inspector in charge J K George.

Inspector George and one of his colleagues Nawab Singh rushed to the spot while 'provocative

appeals; were being made from the local Masjid over a loudspeaker.

The RPF FIR charged over 1000 people with conspiracy and murder under various sections including

section 302 of IPC.

The RPF officials also sought reinforcement and about 40 personnel and four doctors had rushed

from Baroda.

Curiously, it was later given out by eyewitness accounts and local residents that Godhra township did not

have much educated people. It was also reported that the chief occupation of a 'vast number of youths'

in the township has been to rob train passengers, snatch chains and lift bags.

There were other interesting stories related to the incidents of Godhra railway platform.

One source had said then (in 2002) that there was heavy stone pelting on the burnt coach from

the southern side of the tracks as window panes on the other side had melted in the fire.

Closer investigations of the Forensic Laboratory had stated that the intensity of the heat in the charred

coash S-6 was four-five times more towards seat No. 72.

It was concluded that - "....standing in the passage of seat number 72, using a container with a wide opening,

about 60 litres of liquid had been poured and immediately a fire had been started in the bogie".

On various allegations and theories of 'larger conspiracy', the Supreme Court has finally hit the

nail.

It said that accepting the argument of a larger conspiracy behind the riots would raise the question whether the

Godhra train burning was also the “outcome of alleged larger criminal conspiracy”.

“Such a view would be preposterous,” the judgment said.

In the meantime, the episode encircling Teesta Setalvad is also exciting.

The social activist had been into controversies in more ways than one with regard to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

In 2004, November, an eye witness in the Best Bakery case of Vadodara, Zaheera Sheikh, had charged

her with pressurising her.

The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of Gujarat police

complaint in the Zakia Jafri case wherein Setalvad is charged with forgery, giving false evidence, conspiracy and

fabricating records.

The complaint by the Gujarat police also names Retd IPS Officer R B Sreekumar and imprisoned former DIG (Gujarat)

Sanjeev Bhatt. Sreekumar and Teesta have been arrested.

The Supreme Court has also said that  - “As a matter of fact, all those involved in such abuse of process,

need to be in the dock and proceeded with in accordance with law".

So, law has caught up with these elements. At least this is what the verdict from the highest court of the land suggests.

ends

 SC endorses Nanavati-Shah panel report: 'Ramsevaks haven't done anything'

New Delhi

Even as the debate continues on Godhra rail station inferno of 2002 and subsequent
riots, it is certain that the Supreme Court's latest orders in effect endorse the findings of Nanavati-Shah Commission report that "Ramsevaks had not done anything".

The Commission in its report tabled on Nov 18, 2014 had said that, "the Ramsevaks (Hindu pilgrims returning from Ayodhya) had not done anything and no incident had happened earlier which could have led to the incident that happened later at Godhra".

The Nanavati-Shah panel in its 2000-page content had also quoted eyewitnesses including retired

army personnel who had traveled in the ill-fated Sabarmati Express in 2002.

In fact, witness number 1015, Ramnaresh Gupta said - "the mob (at Godhra station) was carrying

weapons like swords and iron bars and were shouting 'Maro, Kapo, Badhane Jalavi Do (Burn them all)".

Another eyewitness No. 1013, Radheshyam Mishra, a retired military havaldar, had stated that the mob

pelting stones on the train were shouting - "Mar dalo, Kat dalo". He was himself hit by a stone.

The Commission had said - "In absence of any evidence whatsoever indicating any incident on

the way, the Commission has no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that the suggestion made by

Jamait-e-Ulemma Hind that a quarrel had taken place between Ramsevaks and Vendors

at the Ujjain railway station is without any basis".

It said the journey of the said train from "Ayodhya to Godhra was trouble free".

Now, it needs to be taken cognizance by media and other objective observers that 

controversial cops RB Sreekumar and Sanjiv Bhatt claims that as the Chief Minister

Narendra Modi had made certain statements “to allow vent to the Hindu anger" 

were also not true.

The apex court noted that the SIT had looked into these allegations and had dismissed them. 

It stated that according to other officials present in that meeting, either Bhatt or Sreekumar 

were not in attendance, and that this claim was a “figment of imagination”. 

The Supreme Court also called Sreekumar a “disgruntled officer”. 

In its order the Supreme Court has stated that there was "coalesced effort" of disgruntled officials from 

Gujarat and others to make false sensational revelations, which the SIT exposed.

"Intriguingly, the present proceedings have been pursued for he last 16 years… to keep the pot boiling, obviously, for 

ulterior design," said the three judge bench comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and C.T. Ravikumar.

It is also worth mentioning that the Nanavati Commission in its interim report submitted in September 2008 had stated

that the fire on the train at Godhra station on Feb 27, 2002, was the result of a "pre-planned conspiracy

involving some individuals".

Now, the roles played by media and organisations and some more individuals like Jamait-e-Ulemma Hind could 

also come under scanner.

A section of BJP leaders are likely to take up issues concerning a decision by the erstwhile UPA government when

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad in a much controversial manner had appointed a committee headed by

retired Supreme Court judge U C Banerjee in Sept 2004.

Justice Banerjee-panel in a much hurried manner and in a questionable stance had declared that the fire

in the Sabarmati Express compartment was "only an accident".

This report was challenged by a relative of a victim, Nilkanth Bhatia in the Gujarat High Court. The single judge

bench of Justice D N Patel termed the formation of the Banerjee itself as illegal.

As expected the Congress-led UPA which was supported by communists had appealed against the ruling.

But in July 2014 (by the time Narendra Modi govt. was in power), the NDA government withdrew the appeal before 

the bench of Justices K S Jhaveri and A G Uraizee.

ends 

Hindutva wins ! Uddhav to resign ! SC allows floor test :: Sickularism gets marching orders....now shud 'pawar-sahib' retire?

There's no floor test now. The claimant to the throne who was supposed to be tested tomorrow has now resigned. Guv should call the person who he believes commands majority support in the house: Mahesh Jethmalani, Rajya Sabha MP

"I had come (to power) in an unexpected manner and I am going out in a similar fashion. I am not going away forever, I will be here, and I will once again sit in Shiv Sena Bhawan. I will gather all my people. I am resigning as the CM & as an MLC" - Uddhav Thackeray 

Balasaheb Thackeray told he'll close the shutters of Shiv Sena if ever it allies with Congress. And Eknath Shinde ji just closed the shutters: Ravi Rana, Independent MLA

Sweets in BJP camp: well deserved 

Supreme Court Allows jailed MLAs Nawab Malik & Anil Deshmukh To Participate In Tomorrow’s Floor Test In Maharashtra Assembly

Aurangabad to be named Sambhaji Nagar

.... Shiv Sena is again 'communal' ... SICKULARISM JOKERS !

"what kind of argument is that #Maharashtra #Governor has recovered from COVID just two days ago? So a person who has recovered from illness should not discharge his constitutional duties? 

#UddhavThackeray sheds Sickularism cloak changes name of Aurangabad

Counsel for Sena rebels, Kaul : Even in cases of Shiv Sena and Parameshwar(Maharashtra & Karnataka assembly cases 2020 & 2019), the Supreme Court went on to say, we will decide larger questions on a later date but ordered that floor test must be held immediately.

 "It would be constitutionally impermissible for a Speaker to adjudicate upon disqualification petitions under the Tenth Schedule, while a notice of resolution for his own removal from the office of Speaker, is pending" - counsel Kaul quotes from Nabam Rebia case 

Solicitor General ....argues Maharashtra case - says - SG : Speaker cannot decide his voters list. Speaker cannot decide his electoral college.

Kaul : And what kind of argument is that #Governor has recovered from COVID just two days ago? So a person who has recovered from illness should not discharge his constitutional duties?

petitioner for Sena rebels: Kaul : "There are 9 independent MLAs have given us support. It is the hopeless minority of 14 who are opposing us".

#Uddhav gets the 'taste of Hindutva' !! Cabinet passes move for renaming Osmanabad as Dharashiv. 

#UddhavThackeray bids farewell to Sickularism ....Aurangabad to be named Sambhaji Nagar

"The pendency of the proceedings before the Speaker cannot be a valid basis to not have the confidence of the House in the government determined by the convening of a floor test." - Kaul quotes from Shivraj Singh Chauhan decision.

When Congress played dictatorial, that's also a legacy

M M Thomas, others were not seekers of loaves and fishes

New Delhi

The Congress party these days would never miss a chance to play holier than thou.

The leaders would go to any length to dismiss the Modi regime as a dictatorial
one but they forget their heydays in power. How 'arrogance' was used to bulldoze democracy and the right spirit and principles of democracy?

Vamuzo and Blogger in 'Naga Banner' newspaper office

The 25th of June was a reminder of its own folly vis-a-vis national emergency.

In Nagaland, there was yet another round of experience as late as 1992 when
all constitutional norms were set aside and the egos of leaders like S C Jamir,

K L Chishi and Chingwang Konyak were 'honoured' to deprive regionalists of their legitimate rights granted by the constitution.

Blogger: Younger Days 

Here are a few samples of write-ups and commentaries in national media on the 
imposition of President's Rule in 1992 depriving Vamuzo the 'caretaker position'. 

The 'Indian Express' edit of March 30, 1992 - 

"Congressmen should ponder the damage the politics of defection they have encouraged has done to the northeast and whether such politics and the attendant corruption constitute an engaging advertisement of the merits of parliamentary democracy in a region where the insurgency has yet to lose its appeal".

# "One regrets to have to add that the President (then R Venkataraman, a former cabinet colleague of the then PM Narasimha Rao) has also been remiss. No President is bound to sign Proclamation based on manifestly false grounds". 

- A G Noorani in 'The Statesman', April 11, 1992

# "The real ground for the Centre's resentment (against Vamuzo and then Governor M M Thomas) is the fact that, for the first time in recent years, a Governor has dissolved the state assembly, in exercise of the powers under Art 174 (2-B) without reference to the centre". 

- A G Noorani, 'The Statesman' April 2, 1992

# "Used to pliable Governors scrupulously following dictates from Delhi, the ruling party at the centre (Congress) was clearly taken aback by M M Thomas's strange preference for constitutional obligation under which he had no option but to accept Vamuzo's request for dissolving the legislature". 

- Edit in 'Times of India' April 6, 1992

# "Technically the Governor's action cannot be faulted.... It was in fitness of things that Mr Thomas accepted the Chief Minister's advice as he is bound to do by the constitution. In a state where defection and counter defection is a tradition, dissolving the state assembly foreclosed the chances of any horsetrading" - Edit in 'The Telegraph', April 3, 1992

# "It is a pity that Congress MPs have refused to see the constitutional tension that has been created....and the damage it has done to the dignity of the office of Governor. Opposition parties and groups are led to believe (in north east) that they can seldom get justice from the Congress at the centre". - 'Free Press Journal', Mumbai - edit, April 6, 1992

# "In his last gubernatorial testament, he (Dr Thomas) claimed that his actions were devoted to 'safeguarding' the interest of the state in the true spirit of the federal structure of our constitution. He has maintained the impeccable position that Governors are independent constitutional authorities and not mere agents of the central government" - 

Justice (retd) V R Krishna Iyar, 'The Hindu', April 24, 1992

# "Mr Thomas was more than a martyr, he was an exemplar. Dhavan, Pandey, Nirmal Mukherjee, Barnala, Jagmohan and others of their ilk were not seekers of loaves and fishes but knew their business and possessed the courage to resign. When a Governor quails, the Constitution fails". 

- Justice Krishna Iyar, Feb 25, 1992 'The Hindu'

# "The centre has done it again. The purpose of Article 356 is remedial, to restore constitutional machinery. It is not punitive and certainly not to settle partisan scores". - Soli Sorabjee, senior constitutional lawyer in 'Times of India', April 4, 1992

** Vamuzo had registered his protest strongly. He even wrote a letter to then President R Venkataraman saying he had done 'personal injustice' twice - imposing President's Rule in 1992 and prior to that denying Vamuzo to form government after Hokishe Sema ministry was reduced to minority in 1989.

Vamuzo always used to say, the Congress will regret its decision of 1992 as it was gross violation of Constitution and went against the spirit of Sarkaria Commission and natural justice.

"A day will come, Congress will have no leader, no voter. And the party may exists on paper and no legislator," Vamuzo said once. 

Beware our neta class and also voters, some prophecies can come true. 

ends  

Of Nagaland Governors, controversies and great humility : Guv Shrivastava married a Naga but was a 'Ganesh Bhakt'

Of Governors, their controversies and great humility - Guv O N Shrivastava married a Naga but was a 'Ganesh Bhakt'

New Delhi

During our interaction, he just happened to tell me -"My daughter sent me this small statue of Lord Ganesha, and He gives me inspiration and peace". 

Frankly, I was taken aback. Shy, I was, but I took the risk of asking him - "Sir, as you are married to madam, I thought you would not be so religious. She being a Naga".

A senior former cop and a man of vast experience, he understood my question - whether he still followed Hinduism despite marrying a Naga Christian.

Shrivastava smiled towards me, perhaps trying to give me advice - not to get so personal with a Governor ! But he said mildly - "Kya baat karte ho (What are you talking)".

My respect for him increased manifold. But he himself used to ask even small family matters - whether my hospitalised sister in Kolkata is back in her hostel. Some people at the top still can maintain humility and simplicity. That's the touchstone of a virtuous man.

I visited Bhopal more than once in recent years, but sadly could not manage time to pay my gratitude to him.

The 1993 assembly elections went on under Loknath Mishra as the Governor. 

The then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao visited Dimapur on Feb 4, 1993 and addressed 

an election rally. In effect, that rally and the manner it went on had left S C Jamir red-faced

and his differences with NPCC chief Chingwang Konyak enhanced further.

Chingwang asked Hokishe Sema to deliver the welcome address and Jamir was slated for a Vote of Thanks.

But after Hokishe delivered his speech, it was PM Rao's turn. He addressed the rally and held Hokishe by shoulders and waved hands towards the crowd and thus the function ended without Jamir getting his chance to speak.

Talking to a select group of journalists (I was lucky to be among them), PM Rao said his government had no problems to lift the ban on NSCN.

Eastern Clarion, Jorhat paper 1993

He said the government's decision would depend on the "underground group's activities".

"All problems can be solved through dialogue," said Narasimha Rao - certainly often a man of few words.

The 1993 assembly polls went on under the influence of guns.

Hokishe lost to Independent candidate Vikishe Sema in Dimapur I, Chingwang lost to P Enyie Konyak of NPC. 

Needless to say, Jamir had influences practically everywhere.

The November 19, 1992 assassination attempt on him in Delhi left Jamir an angry tiger and injured. 

He fought the polls fiercely. Less talk about the election that year in Mokokchung town (Jamir returned from here) 

- it is better.

Jamir's chosen man K Therie defeated Thenucho in Pfutsero, I K Sema (another Jamir rival and Congress nominee)

lost to his cousin. 

"I will handle...." Jamir was heard telling someone over the phone in the Secretariat complex as he walked in with his

cowboy hat a day after the counting of ballots.

The CEO that year was Lalhuma. He later became Financial Commissioner. Central officials

deputed as EC observers were in an extraordinary hurry to fly out of Dimapur after the polls. 

One of them even told us, "We need to go back fast, my daughter is leaving for abroad tomorrow". 

Nevertheless, Governor Mishra as convention addressed the opening session of the new House.

During the debate on Motion of Thanks to the Governor's address, flamboyant regionalist Huska Sumi of NPC

said, "Who knows, his Excellency may not be happy to see some of us in this Assembly".

 

In fact, during President's Rule, one advisor to Governor Mishra got into some controversy after there was 

a 'theft case' of a considerable amount of cash from his house.

Mishra was relieved of his responsibility in Nagaland and came in,  Lt. Gen.(Retd) V. K. Nayar.

He took charge on October 2, 1993. 

Nayar had served as GOC at Jakhama and gradually differences surfaced between him and

Chief Minister Jamir. 

Nayar was also a little moody type and someone who could not be predicted. We met him at Chumukedima police

complex once. Interacting with me, he said, "Jamir has a mandate as there are 36 Congress members with him".

Naturally, I did the story. The pro-Congress newspaper 'Nagaland Times' highlighted it on page-1.

Somehow, the Governor was furious and complained that I had misquoted him. He told Raj Bhavan staffers in presence

of All India Radio officers that he had the power to 'get me picked up'.

Fortunately both the officials - Madam Viya Sekhose and B B Sharma - knew me as I used to often work 

(on contract) for AIR, Kohima too.

They tried to reason with him saying - "Dev also works for a government organisation like AIR, He does

not have any bad intention".

Some Congress ministers later said, "The Governor was unhappy as your story appeared pro-Jamir".

And, I was stunned a little as my colleagues in 'Nagaland Times' including Editor S K Dutta and his coterie

knew me as a hardcore anti-Jamir scribe.

There were other problems between the Governor and Jamir presumably. On the political front, Jamir started

lobbying with Delhi to replace him.

One Saturday afternoon, DIPR officials from Kohima rushed to Dimapur. I was stationed at Dimapur those days

and so we were invited to Jamir's Half Nagarjan House.

To a question, Jamir told us that day, "Governors keep coming and going. It is a constitutional post

and an office of dignity". Hints were clear, Nayar sahab would be packing off.

Incidentally, it was in this press conference, Jamir had said - "Bangladeshis are increasing like rabbits".

Actually, he countered Congress chief minister Hiteshwar Saikia's statement that there 'was no Bangladeshi

citizen in Assam'.

Lt Gen Nayar was replaced by Oudh Narayan Shrivastava, a former IGP who had served in Nagaland in the 1970s.

Interestingly, Shrivastava was a thorough gentleman and had a genuine concern for people he met. The 'apnapan'.

He even used to enquire "whether you are trying to move out of Nagaland. I can recommend you 

Bhopal. It's a lovely place". 

Shrivastava had married a Naga (Zopianga's daughter - sister of IAS officer Banu Z Jamir). 

Once, for his role as Manipur Governor, I wrote a critical article and used one line -

"Didi dekh, tera pati Congress-I banta jae (Hey sister, please see, your husband is

behaving like a Congressman)". It was based on a popular Hindi song.

Governor Shrivastava later said he read the piece (in a Dimapur-based

daily), but he did not allow such things to come in between.

On one occasion, I was sort of shocked and really embarrassed myself.

(Concluded) 

ends  

 

Growth trajectory of Gujarat is an inspiring story

The transformational model of Gujarat is seen as a key contributor towards shaping 'New India' ....... Economic growth in Gujarat is linked to peace

Ahmedabad (Gujarat): The growth trajectory of Gujarat is an inspiring story and the upward trend in economic growth signals the arduous work put in by subsequent Gujarat governments in building what is today a robust, people-centric economy.

Blogger: Gandhinagar Secretariat Building

Recently, a recommendation was given to the state government of Gujarat by a panel of experts for scaling up the growth in the manufacturing sector — it has been estimated that the state will have to attract investments worth Rs 5 lakh crore in focus sectors by the end of fiscal 2022-23. There have been a few other recommendations and in addition, it has been laid down that the state may promote sustainable manufacturing through decarbonisation and net-zero initiatives in the identified sectors.

The panel headed by Dr Hasmukh Adhia, former Finance Secretary to the Union Govt, has also suggested that the state raise its share in the national GDP to 10 percent over the next few years.

In state-wise GSDP share in the national GDP 2020-21, Gujarat stood number 5 after Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. In terms of figures, Gujarat’s share was 8.36 and Maharashtra stood at number one with 13.69 percent. That means Gujarat will have to cover the extra space; and it is embarking on a new road map on a mission mode to achieve the same.

Let us keep the hardcore economic issues aside for a while and take a closer examination of other factors that can significantly improve any state’s growth graph.

The foremost of all among all the factors is the law and order situation. This means, if a state wants to grow, firstly, it has to become peaceful. Of course, Gujarat is a peaceful state compared to other prospering Indian states, especially the four leading states — UP, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Of course, the detractors of Gujarat’s political culture and political opponents of the government of the day will have different stories to tell. Some of these stories are painted in such a manner by a powerful section of media that people tend to believe that a stranger could be easily attacked in the streets of cities like Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Surat.

The truth about Gujarat is just the opposite of what is generally circulated. There are also efforts made frequently to present the western state in a poor light.

Nevertheless, the sum and substance of the argument is that yes, Gujarat is a peaceful state. The transformational model of Gujarat is seen as one of the key contributors towards shaping a ‘New India’.

The industry captains would readily endorse the view that there has been complete industrial peace and so, the state continues to remain an ideal investment destination and of course, a traders’ paradise. Thus, Gujarat has carved a niche for itself and has emerged as the growth engine of the country.

The state has endorsed peace and has aimed at economic upliftment across all sections of society. Closer studies of Gujarat would reveal that it has not been apologetic about its nationalistic commitment.

Gujarat has shown what being Bharatiya, that is a ‘true Indian’ means.  In fact, the western state has made the right synthesis of three basic elements — nationalism, core Hindu values of patriotism with humanism at their heart and also, development. Today, there is no internally self-contradictory ideology as is propagated by some vested interests alleging the Gujarat system would alienate not only minorities but also a large majority of deprived Hindus. This notion was absolutely rubbish.

Here is my argument based on a simple but first-hand experience. It was sheer coincidence that when I landed in Ahmedabad on June 21 on the International Day for Yoga as I interacted with Yoga enthusiasts for the day’s events in various parts of the city, one common refrain suggested that everybody seemed to have developed a new liking towards yoga. It was seen by many as alternative ways to achieve well being.

“The enthusiasm towards Yoga has increased manifold in recent times as many Covid patients got benefits of Yoga,” said a Muslim bakery owner in the Lal Darwaza area.

There is another factor. Muslims in Gujarat have been more practical and more focused towards business and normal avenues of life. Perhaps unlike their counterparts in some other states, Gujarati Muslims have moved beyond the gory days of communal conflicts and have buried the past. For their part the minorities have served the state of Gujarat well. In turn, they have contributed to the state’s economic growth and have been generally peaceful and law-abiding.

There are some famous eating outlets at Bhatyargali near Teen Darwaza point. I was pleased

to find a large number of non-Muslims thronging the area for a variety of non-veg dishes. Foodies were seen around 10 in night along with their families and children. When asked , some local residents and business people in the area about the peaceful times in Gujarat, unlike, say Muslims in some UP hubs, say these Gujaratis do not feel economically trapped or socially vulnerable in their home state.

“There is no cultural confusion here and unlike other states, religious manipulation by clerics is less or negligible. Muslims in Gujarat very much want to remain part of Gujarat — the country’s great democratic and secular experiment,” said one local resident.

Thus, there is peace and harmony. And this suits the developmental agenda of the state. Some years back, one western magazine had noted “So many things work in Gujarat, that it does not seem like India”. The situation is the same today as well.

Local entrepreneurs and even officials say that Gujarat has a significant manufacturing base. This alone contributes to nearly 30 per cent of the state’s GSDP. It is suggested that manufacturing cannot grow without an atmosphere of trust and peace. Experts also say that the share of sectors such as transport and energy in the GSDP of the state can rise up to 48 per cent.

Traditionally, the three pillars of economic growth of Gujarat are agriculture, manufacturing and services. These sectors can only prosper in a peaceful state. We have to do a lot of thinking on the issue of attainment of peace and prosperity. On the national level, if we can achieve what Gujarat has achieved despite a brutal history of incidents of communal violence, nothing can stop us as a nation from scaling great heights in terms of development.

There was jubilation in rebel Shiv Sena camp after Supreme Court orders; and predictably so !

"This is the victory of Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray's Hindutva and the ideology of Dharmveer Anand Digh," tweeted rebel Sena leader and Minister Eknath Shinde.  

The Monday's proceedings in the Supreme Court left the rebel camp jubilation and qyickpoliticking started in the BJP too. Obviously a pall of gloom descended on the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi - Sena-NCP-Congress alliance. 

Several leaders joining the meeting were seen beaming in anticipation and some flashed the 'V' sign, indicating an upbeat mood.

Sena chief spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut, who has been served a fresh summon, said that "this a legal battle and will continue" and said the party will fight it out.

Shinde has claimed the support of 39 Sena MLAs, and 11 independents or other parties, totalling to 48, and the group is likely to extend its sojourn in Assam by a few more days.

Shinde is also reported to have initiated the process to finalise and send a letter to the Maharashtra Governor that they have withdrawn support to the MVA government of Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress. 

BJP's core committee meeting got under way with top leaders present along with Devendra Fadnavis to finalise their strategy to form the next government in the state, possibly with the help of the rebel group.

In 2019 assembly polls, the BJP had emerged as the single largest party and was all set to form government in alliance with Shiv Sena. But Uddhav Thackeray aligned with NCP and Congress and ditched the decade old saffron alliance formed originally during the stint of his father Bal Thackeray.

Pointing out that the rebel MLAs had served notice for removal of the Deputy Speaker on June 25, even before the disqualification notices were issued to them on June 25, counsel Neeraj Kishan Kaul asked “How can the Deputy Speaker at all proceed with the matter when a Constitution Bench of the SC says that when his own issue of removal is not decided, till then he cannot proceed with disqualification?”

When the bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala asked why can’t these questions be raised before the Deputy Speaker himself, Kaul said the Supreme Court says he cannot deal with it at all.

To a specific query from the bench on why they had not approached the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution, Kaul referred the bench to statements by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut and said the atmosphere in Mumbai is not conducive.

"The Supreme Court says, that apart from everything else, many political considerations come into these matters and if during a period of 14 days which Article 179 (c) provides — that you first issue a notice and within 14 days thereafter, that notice under the rules is read out in the Assembly and a motion is moved if during that period a Speaker tends to disqualify what he considers to be an inconvenient set of people and reduces the strength, which is exactly what has been sought to be done in this matter, then it completely subverts the provisions of the Constitution, destroys the spirit of the Constitution”, Kaul argued.

Yoga in Ahmedabad has true secular fabric, linked to Covid-related to immunity

Yoga in Ahmedabad has true secular fabric, linked to Covid-related to immunity

New Delhi 

It was sheer coincidence that one had landed in Ahmedabad on June 21, the day observed across the globe as International Day for Yoga.

Talk to Yoga enthusiasts for the day's events in various parts of the city, and everybody seemed to have developed a new thrill towards yoga. It is largely seen by many as alternative ways to achieve well being.

"The enthusiasm towards Yoga has increased manifold in recent times as many Covid patients got benefits of Yoga. Doctors started advising and the word spread fast that Yoga has helped some patients," says 34-old businessman Ibrahim Sulema, who runs a bakery outlet in Lal Darwaza locality of the city.

"My family members are today regular with Yoga, children love it and we have relatives who claimed to have saved themselves from Covid19 pandemic. Thanks to Yoga, there is nothing about religion or Hindu Gods involved in Yoga," he says.

Others also readily endorse. At Navrangpur area, former gym trainer Pulak Sen Desai now is also a Yoga guide. "My experience is people are linking yoga to health more than they used even five years back. I have people coming and telling me that ordinary pranayam asanas helped people with lungs and breathing problems. The keenness to learn Yoga increased especially after the pandemic," he says. 

Some say, Yoga helped them to prolonged stress and anxiety. These problems had increased during Covid and even post-pandemic as jobs were affected. But locals say - "we benefited from yoga".

A BJP supporter in another busy commercial area of the city says - "In many parts of Ahmedabad, there was a large scale Yoga enthusiasm on June 21 as happens every year. But today, people said adolescents use yoga to bring back focused attention".

Experts also say about 'yogic breathing' can bring overall improvement in the functioning of body systems.  

Moreover, the 'cardiovascular system' also get support from Yoga issues likearterial pressure, and contractility of the heart helped people.

A mega Yoga was organised at the Sabarmati River Front on June 21 early morning; and on June 20, the previous day, Chief Minister Bhupendra Parl released a booklet 'Vishwa Yog Diwas- Smanya Yog Abhuaskram'.

Among the neo-Yoga enthusiasts in the traders' paradise, Ahmedabad, is a mother of three children and her age 58.

"I am preparing for retirement soon. But there is stress and sleep disorder. So I was advised Yoga. I admit, I started it with reluctant keenness. But I was impressed, I found Yoga brought in quick sleep and also deep sleep. This was due to the aftereffects of exercise and the mental calming. I got stress relief  and sound sleep. I am a new person now," she adds. 

Dr Hemlata Roy says, "Biggest contribution Yoga can make is in your mind. It sharpens concentration and regular yoga practice helps create mental clarity and calmness. The increase in number of enthusiasts in today's ruthless competitive world is therefore not surprising".

According to a state government official, on many things Gujarat is showing example to the rest of India.

It is time, people's experience with Yoga in cities like Ahmedabad and Surat too is compiled and shared effectively. Yoga is certainly not a one-day event. One is convinced about this more from the experience of Ahmedabad citizens.

ends 

Left suffers further decimation in Tripura

As Left votes shifted enmasse towards Trinamool Congress, the communists today do not have any legislator in West Bengal - a state where they ruled for 35 years.
Is similar fate awaiting the communists in Tripura as well ? Morning shows the day - goes a saying.

Blogger in CPI-M office: 2018

Tripura bypolls, BJP wins three, Congress - one : Left decimated further

New Delhi

The 'Left' is left in the lurch ! Literally so. In Tripura by polls, while BJP could three out of four and one went to Congress strongman Sudip Roy Burman, the big picture takeaway if further decimation of the communists.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, Swapna Das Pal and Malina Debnath won their seats for the ruling

BJP, which is in power in the northeastern state for the first time since 2018.

Assembly elections are due in Tripura by February-March 2023 and these were truly almost semi-final.

BJP candidates Swapna Das Pal returned from Surma assembly sgment fighting against 

pro-tribal outfit TIPRA Motha and CPI-M, so did Malina Debnath at Jubarajnagar.

Chief Minister Dr Saha, who replaced Bplab Deb recently, defeated his nearest rival Congress candidate 

Asish Saha in politically sensitive Bordowali by a margin of 6,104 votes.  While Dr Saha got a total 17,181 votes,

Ashis Kumar Saha (Congress) got 11077. 

Notably, Left Front’s Forward Bloc candidate Raghunath Sarkar could win only 3376 votes while

Sanhita Banerjee of Trinamool Congress despite all hypes could win only 986 votes.

For Congress, veteran Sudip Roy Burman won the prestigious Agartala seat. In 2018, he had won the seat

as BJP nominee. He also served as Minister but later quit the party as the high command did not replace

Biplab Deb.

Though the elections in Tripura, onetime Marxists bastion, were muti-cornered, ultimately 

vote count show it largely ended up as battle between the BJP and the Congress.

Whether this would become a trend in the assembly elections due early next year remains to be seen.

Significantly enough, the Congress was nowhere in 2018 polls as most of its vote-share had moved

towards the saffron party kitty, but it has gained this time at the cost of communists support base.

If this becomes a trend, it would be sensational transition in Tripura's electoral history.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress which came to Tripura in 20121 with fanfare

and slogan ‘Didi ke chai’ ( Tripura wants Mamata Banerjee-didi) has been shown its 

marginalised position in more ways than one.

Following statistics show how the Left support base has declined sharply.

In the 2018 assembly elections, in Agartala seat, CPI-M’s Krishna Majumdar had got 17,852 votes-that is 

40.03 percent of total votes in her kitty.  This time it came down only 6,808 votes.

Sudip Roy Barman of Congress bagged 17,431 votes winning the seat. Notably, in 2018,

Congress polled only 638 votes.

The BJP nominee Dr Ashok Sinha time 14,268 votes.

In 2018 assembly election’s total votes of BJP was 25,234 votes that is  56.59 percent.

In Agartala, Trinamool Congress nominee Panna Deb got only 842 votes.

So the Left support base has clearly backed Congress veteran Sudip Roy Burman.

In Bordowali seat also, Forward Bloc candidate Biswanath Saha in 2018 had got 13,115.  

This time Forward Bloc candidate Raghunath Sarkar could win only 3,376.

So around 9,700 Left Front supporting electors this time shifted loyalties towards Congress.

In 2018, Congress candidate had got only 1,285 votes while this time Congress candidate Asish Saha 

got 11,077 votes. 

To a large extent, these trends reflect what went around with the Left parties in West Bengal in 2021

polls.

Of Nagaland Governors, their contributions and controversies

Under Loknath Mishra, Raj Bhavan became a hub for 'water mantra'; Administration collapsed

Chalie Kevichusa killed in Dimapur on Sept 23, 1992

New Delhi 

In 1997 during the United Front regime, facing the interview Board of Press Trust of India (PTI) for my job, I was asked by Justice (Retd) H R Khanna, "according to you who can be called the best Nagaland Governor".
Promptly, I said, "Governor B K Nehru ..." and I did add to say, "Most Governors in Nagaland courted controversies".

"Why not L P Singh?," asked Justice Khanna and I said, "People relate him to the Shillong Accord and the major controversies thereafter and even underground split".

Today, in circa 2022, one remembers a few Nagaland Governors with whom I interacted often in confidence and also saw their stints jump from one end to the other.

Governor Gopal Singh was the first 'exclusive Governor' but he did not leave much of an impression.

Prior to moving to Nagaland, he had some problems in Goa as well and during his stint in Kohima, the then Leader of the Opposition K L Chishi had problems with him.

But Chishi was fortunate to have Nagaland's first Christian Governor Dr M M Thomas, an human rights activist and a hardcore anti-Congress public leader from Kerala.

Dr M M Thomas, first Christian Guv  

During Emergency (coincidentally that was imposed on June 25, 1975), Dr Thomas led the 'opposition

parties' in their resistance to the diktats of Indira Gandhi.

Hardly a week at Kohima Raj Bhavan for Dr Thomas, the S C Jamir ministry was reduced to minority as

likes of C Chongsen Chang, Tiameren, Chubatamjen Ao and Neiphiu Rio moved out of the ruling

party. As expected, Congress power-shenanigans were on and games started. 

Rajesh Pilot and S S Ahluwalia airdashed as AICC observers. Speaker T N Ngullie disqualified 10 members

saying it was not one-third as two members Chubatemjen Ao and T A Ngullie were expelled from Congress.

Dr Thomas was hardly impressed and he dismissed Jamir and invited K L Chishi to form the government.

On May 16, the Chishi ministry was sworn in. The Governor even declined to meet two AICC observers saying their

views were not relevant for 'Nagaland politics'.

But Chishi was toppled the very next month as NPC members decided to join hands with the Congress and Joint Legislature Party (JLP) ministry headed by Vamuzo, then a non-MLA, took over powers.

Nagaland Page

Link

In fact, Vamuzo was then Working President of NPC and so Chishi complained, "As Leader of the Opposition,

I worked hard to topple the Congress ministry, but my government was toppled by the organisational wing of the

party".

Chalie Kevichusa as NPC secretary general sided with Chishi and finally the NPC split and the Vizol camp

walked away with the party symbol Cock as well.

But no sooner Vamuzo took over reins and his interaction started with Thomas quite regularly, the Governor

realised Vamuzo was more 'hard core' anti-Congress. For floor coordination, Chishi started working closely

with Congress and Jamir.

But he did not forget or forgive the betrayal and power-games played by two stalwarts in their own rights

-Vamuzo and Jamir.

"The Jamir- Vamuzo alliance was like dogs in love, they never met face to face. Jamir's interest was revenge 

and Vamuzo's interest was power thus they became strange bedfellows and I became a target," Chishi said

later.

In fact, during the tenure of Governor Thomas only, Thenucho as Speaker disqualified 15 legislators

- 10 NPC and five Congress. 

The decision was challenged in Gauhati High Court and when the verdict came, Jamir staked a claim, but 

the Governor rejected it. Instead he advised all to maintain 'calm' till the Supreme Court verdict came.

 

Dr Thomas was soon identified as an 'anti-Congressman' at the gubernatorial office and was even

tagged the sarcastic name 'Misa Misi Thomas'.  

In 1992, Vamuzo recommended dissolution of the state assembly and Dr Thomas readily obliged him. 

 Chishi lashed out at the Governor saying he applied "emotional yardstick" to allow Vamuzo continue as caretaker CM.

Jamir and Chishi and other opposition members rushed to Delhi and ensured that the P V Narasimha Rao

government replace Thomas and also impose President's Rule.

Of course the decision to deny 'caretaker status' to Vamuzo was criticised overwhelmingly by naional

press, constitutional experts and opposition parties.

The man who replaced Thomas was Loknath Mishra, who was then also the Governor of Assam.

Dr Thomas was sacked by Rao government as he declined to sign suspension order on Chief Secretary S S Ahluwalia.

Under Mishra, Raj Bhavan became a hub of 'water mantra' therapy. The administration collapsed

and militants and various ultra groups roamed about freely and attacked and eliminated 

people they wanted to. 

This dispensation had turned 'more Congress' than the real Congress regime perhaps. One ADC to the Governor

(an army Capt) became very powerful.

 The President's Rule stint from April 2,  1992 till April 22, 1993 allegedly saw rampant corruption and gross killings

of public leaders, police officials, innocent civilians and a host of underground militant cadres.

Nearly 100 people might have died in separate incidents during one year and 20 days.

Sadly for us in the media, senior journalist Chalie Kevichusa, president DLP, was shot dead in broad daylight on Sept 23, 1992, in Dimapur and one faction took the responsibility as well.

In fact, Chalie's wife later wrote a letter to the militant organisation registering her protest.

In Delhi, there was assassination attempt on the life of Jamir at 29 Aurangzeb Road, Nagaland House.

The next morning, ( November 20, 1992) Kohima had a public function at the old Zonal Council Hall for the launch of the newspaper  'Nagaland Observer' 

as a daily. Assam Chief Minister Hiteshwar Saikia was the chief guest. The banner headline was - 

'S C Jamir shot at'.

(To be continued)