Nagaland - Power Politics: Proxies; Friends and Foes

Proxies - Friends and Foes ---- 'Nagaland Page' report 

Kikon-Patton factor in play in Wokha district: 

                      ......Rio not to give 'another life' to NPF

New Delhi/Kohima 

It is not without good reason that politicians are also called strange bedfellows.

Rio: Ready, Steady .... Go 

Often experts and seasoned political observers will go clueless of the politician's next move. Who is their friend and foe, is perhaps not known even to their spouses.

In the pre-election season in Nagaland today, everybody is better tight-lipped and keeping fingers crossed.

Is the state heading for an extreme political polarisation ? On one hand is NDPP-BJP alliance - likely to 'capture' power yet again - and perhaps on the other hand are those who 'hate' such an alliance and the leadership.

Talk to a former bureaucrat from Mokokchung district - waiting to join politics - and he says - people may disapprove of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and NDPP, but still they could back BJP because of the Modi factor.

And also that the saffron party is in power in Delhi.

Let us go different segments wise. In Wokha district, BJP has two MLAs in the present House. The possible NDPP game and wishlist will be the defeat of one -- say vocal leader Y Patton.

In the otherwise scheme of things also BJP spokesman Mmhonlümo Kikon suits NDPP. A politician and a poet - and pretty young, he can always play his other role as Mizoram in-charge as a Minister in the future Rio cabinet in 2023.

His contacts including in Delhi and Manipur are always an added advantage in addition to the Rio-Chingwang duo's blessings.

One NDPP version - "If Mmhonlümo loses, everyone will blame Patton...and if Patton loses it is anti-incumbency".

A Challenger Lotha : Patton 

There is a clause in the BJP-NDPP deal that there will not be any friendly contest. Congress leader K Therie says it is targeted at Rio; however - there are talks that the RPP could play as 'proxy' candidates in some segments for 'unofficial BJP'.

The JD-U as a party is now out of the NDA's saffron charm and any nominee from JD-U can play up as proxy to anyone. 

In 2018 itself, Rio-loyalist G Kaito managed to win Satakha and later became an NDPP asset. On the other hand, analysts suggest the NPF-NDPP hidden alliance is not possible due to 'practical politics'.

"Mr Neiphiu Rio cannot afford to give another life to veteran Shurhozelie.... NDPP's wishlist will include near permanent decimation of NPF," says one of them. 

If that is 'Tenyimia bond' for you; in Zunheboto district, troubles have started in Pughoboto.

Dr Sukhato Sema would like to enter the assembly as a saffron party man; while Rio has reposed his trust and blessings with  Y. Vikheho Swu.

As NPF nominee Swu had defeated Sukhato by a narrow margin of record low of only 70 votes.

The NDPP leadership and especially Chief Minister Rio know that the major hurdles for them would come from central Nagaland and that also chiefly the Ao region despite a Rio-loyalist BJP chief in Temjen Along.

So came in a shrewd change. Imchatoba Imchen, an ex-president of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has now taken charge as president of NDPP (Central Youth) from Kelhouneizo Yhome.

In Mokokchung district, the mood is typical pro-BJP and it has nothing to do with the state leadership. Even former civil servants are waiting in wings for further clarity to join the saffron party. 

The NDPP 'resources' and 'friends' may not make much of a difference in this district - that sends 10 MLAs.

Exciting battles are on cards in the ENPO region for multiple factors. If the state polls are 'advanced' and there is no solution, violence is feared chiefly in Mon district. 

The Yung Aung faction of the NSCN has been 'never in peace mode'. This faction operates from Myanmar and most of its members are from the neighbouring country. There are apprehensions that this group has been able to establish some contacts in China as well.

Shurhozelie

As it is, the BJP-NDA alliance has upset politicians in various parts of the state. But it is more so in the Mon region as a few individual leaders already joined BJP recently; but now they are not sure of their future prospects.

A few among them have got in touch with the Forum of like minded leaders. 

All eyes are on the Forum too. In all likelihood, they will announce a new party in September.

"We could have done it today; but as a matter of principle and commitment to peace, we want to give August for the stakeholders to finalise things. In case nothing happens by August 31 evening; from September 1, you all can see us in real time battle mode," said one of them.

In Ghaspani II, Semas and Kukis could try to work on any formula to take on Zhaleo Rio.

Politics of new district dynamics are expected to work for NDPP in Niuland and Chumukdema also.

ends 

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