The fact that a methodical and flamboyant former Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir, attended the meeting with Rituraj Sinha gives an impression that things have been worked out in certain quarters already.
New Delhi/Dimapur
Onus is on Nagaland's 'Man of the year 2023' - Narendra Modi to deliver.Solution is the 'new year gift' and the President's Rule will be a festival bonus.
What will come first?
BJP leader Rituraj Sinha on Thursday got an on-ground feedback on Neiphiu Rio's unpopularity especially among NDPP MLAs and organisational leaders.
More than the question of 'can he'; the issue in debate hours before the Prime Minister's trusted friend and handpicked powerful Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Nagaland is, 'will he'?
If everyone-- insiders and outsiders and politicians and media persons - thought they knew Nagaland, welcome to new challenges and new opportunities -- time to explore the state yet again in a new fashion.
Reportedly 17 MLAs are ready to dump the sinking ship called NDPP - a party that basked on reflected glories of BJP and PM Modi for the last five years but constantly harmed its growth in Nagaland.
The mega new twist in the tale came on Thursday when a group of ticket aspirants, NDPP stalwarts Imkong Imchen and Alemtemshi Jamir met BJP leader Rituraj Sinha and reportedly made a big case of doing away with the now infamous '40-20' formula. The deal inked on July 26, 2022 was grossly unjustified for the saffron party and peculiarly favoured Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's continuation in office.
Two snaps in circulation in social media do not show Nalin Kohli, the so-called 'Nagaland in charge'of the saffron party whose contribution to Meghalaya BJP in 2018 was 2-seats win. BJP's Nagaland stateunit president Temjen Along was also not around, eyewitness accounts said.
BJP's Rajya Sabha MP, S Phangnon Konyak is seen alongside Rituraj Sinha.
Those who attended the 'suddenly convened' meeting included a few sitting and former MLAs from the NDPP camp and most of them were apparently not ready for such a gathering today. "We all had perhaps given up.The 20-40 formula had a one-point agenda, ensure Rio in power and finish BJP in Nagaland. I was in the marketbut around 1300 hours I got a call. It was refreshing," said one sitting MLA.
Going by the 'body language' and political gestures from some of these leaders -- most of them if not all - are already in the BJP by mind and heart. Formality awaited. "My resignation letter from the NDPP is in the briefcase, it willsoon reach my pocket," said one leader in a rather jovial mood.
"I have set no conditions for a BJP ticket as I am the junior most in the party now. But we are pro-change in the statefor many reasons," said another leader.
Going by Thursday's meeting, if 32 ticket aspirants are obliged and BJP has 12 sitting legislators, the total number comes up pretty good and the saffron party could even contest all 60 seats, observers say.
The fact that a methodical and flamboyant former Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir, attended the meeting with Rituraj Sinha gives an impression that things have been worked out in certain quarters already.
Does it imply, in days to come -- say within a fortnight more NDPP MLAs may quit and the stage could be ready for President's Rule?
The general refrain in Nagaland now is that the 'people's choice' is in favour of an early Solution pact which at least the centre is keen on and even the Naga National Political Groups (an umbrella body) of seven militant groups are also ready to ink. If Solution cannot come before polls, many like the GB Federation and the Like Minded Leaders' Forumsay President's Rule is the answer.
The only exception with regard to the Solution agreement, however, is the NSCN-IM which says the pact, if any, should guarantee a separate Flag and Naga Constitution. Both the demands have been outright rejected by the Government of India.
"There are leaders who would like to continue with the status quo so that undeterred exploitation of Nagaland and its people could continue. For them ‘no solution is solution’ so that they could continue to loot the State and its people," wrote former CM and ex-Gujarat Governor S C Jamir in an article. Jamir personally enjoys good rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and whom he calls "a man with guts".
ends
NNPGs adopt ‘Solution not Election’ stand
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 5: While launching a barrage of stinging criticisms at Nagaland BJP President Temjen Imna Along, the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) has asserted that it was left with no option but to adopt “Solution not Election” stand as desired by the Naga people.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Committee claimed that the “anti-solution stance of Nagaland State BJP President Mr. Temjen Imna Along and his cohorts” has greatly hampered the progress and fruition of Indo-Naga political talks.
“The evasive manoeuvre and non-committal attitude, the arrogance of Nagaland BJP President have accumulated beyond tolerance. Never once did he exhibit genuine concern and commitment for the Naga cause. On 9th November 2022, the WC, NNPGs wrote an official letter addressed to State BJP President for a meeting on crucial matters. Till date there is no response and he is still at large.
“Mr Temjen Imna Along has failed the Nagas and his own party. A man devoid of any principle, an opportunist and morally bankrupt, he is responsible for misleading the Naga people and betraying BJP leadership in New Delhi. WC, NNPGs will not allow such a man to represent the Nagas either at Kohima or in Delhi”, it stated.
The Committee reminded that in 1998, the Congress party assumed power uncontested after going against the wish of Naga people. “They failed to honour the people’s demand and rather believed they had wiped out all other regional political parties in Nagaland. The Naga people responded by promptly showing it an exit door. Sadly, the Congress party is struggling to regain the confidence of the people.
“After assuming state BJP leadership, Mr. Temjen Imna Along, a conman and a trickster, has fiddled with Naga political issue and played every dirty trick in the book to thwart the progress of Indo-Naga talks. The treacherous habit of State BJP leadership has deeply eroded the Naga people’s confidence”, it added.
According to the Committee, it has identified and observed numerous “selfish anti-Naga solution individuals and groups” working day and night to sabotage Naga solution.
“The politics of ‘Election for Solution of 2018’ have failed. Indo-Naga political solution is what the Naga tribes and civil societies anticipate. If election is enforced in Nagaland against the people’s demand for honourable and acceptable negotiated political settlement, men like Mr. Temjen Imna Along as per their trivial activities, will most certainly ensure a wipe out of BJP from Nagaland”, it stated while warning that the 1998 Congress debacle and subsequent punishment is staring at Nagaland BJP in the face.
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