Relevance of a Mahagatbandhan in Nagaland
Nagaland Page
Our Spl Correspondent
Search on for a suitable alter ego to Neiphiu Rio
New Delhi
The politics of cowbelt has taken a churning.
The Bihar development has left several Naga leaders excited as they are already
anxious about their own fortunes and to an extent also worried about the future of common people.
There is a need for a push of a grand alliance against the Neiphiu Rio-led regime of NDPP-BJP alliance.
Other forces have feeble chances of doing well in multi-cornered contests. So the parties, both Congress and regional forces and signboard parties like RPP, NPP and JD-U will have to come together.
The NPF has lost its steam especially due to the defection of 21 legislators and so the Rising People's
Party (RPP) has smelled the rat in the room. It feels there is a vacuum in the politics of regionalism.
No wonder in a recent statement the RPP directed its ire against the oldest regional entity, NPF.
As a consequence of that, veteran Shurhozelie, 85, himself thought it was imperative for him to respond.
"I am assuring them that NPF was never crippled at any time by anyone. Rather defection of 21 Honourable
MLAs had removed ‘trust deficit’ ....," Shurhozelie said.
The NPF needs to do more. First, it should quit the so-called opposition-less government.
For its part the RPP has started moving like hunting birds.
Logically it should approach the newly kept 'open secret' Forum of like minded leaders and seasoned politicians.
As of now the Forum is also weighing options.
But first, it has to come out of the greenroom and formalize the strategies.
People should know who they are and what they stand for. The drama cannot be unfolded with
the mystery of secrecy.
The Bihar development suggests any major battle requires a face and a general.
Nitish Kumar has rekindled a fresh wave of hopes for the opposition camp as he has the potential
of emerging as the 'face' of the anti-Modi battle. And the army for the war nationwide could be provided by
Congress and other parties.
In Nagaland the rules of the game can change a bit.
There is an opportunity for the Forum to provide the army and brigadiers and battalion commanders
here. And the Congress leader K L Chishi could be made the face of the new and alternative leadership.
None can match the persona of Neiphiu Rio at this juncture better than Chishi - under whose Government,
Mr Rio has served as a Power Minister for a month.
Not only is he a former Chief Minister, K L Chishi understands the intricacies of Nagaland politics better than many. Chishi is articulate and a fantastic debater and a good team leader.
His role as the LoP in 1989-90 was a period of stellar performance of the opposition NPC MLAs.
In his team were staunch regionalists like Thenucho who later became Speaker.
The debate in the state assembly used to reach a new height without being harsh or any below the belt charges.
One classic Chishi's one liner was - "Even heaven agrees there is corruption in Nagaland" -- the LoP had said when there was a lightning sound shattering the silence of the old Nagaland assembly building.
Chishi's eye for details to take the battle into the rival camp was exemplary and the then Chief Minister S C Jamir held that grudge for long.
Late Chalie Kevichusa, who was NPC secretary general, had gone on record to appreciate Chishi's performance as the Leader of the Opposition and as the Chief Minister for a brief period.
In the media those who tracked those days would recall that he would come out with allegations against Jamir's ministers from I K Sema to Tiameran "alongside evidence".
Once against a Minister of Jamir cabinet, Chishi had managed details of 'papers' on a government cheque
for a contract work being handed over in a picnic party.
But there are limitations too. Chishi being a Sumi leader, the NDPP will soon have some new and old strategies played up.
Backdoor, people would call it the anti-Sema card.
As it is, politics is today almost fragmented between Tenyimia and others. So, for the new Forum to emerge as a genuine fighter, it should also have a younger Tenyimia leader who would play an alter ego to Neiphiu Rio.
Talking about Tenyimia leaders, we tend to forget a man called Kewekhape Therie.
Mr Therie has his role to play this time both as a Chakhesang leader and as the state unit
president for a party which may see some prospects of revival. His role could turn historic too.
Nagaland politics could soon have a promising chapter.
ends
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