"Naga leaders are prisoners of villagers" ::::: CAA back in debate ::: Congress takes the plunge :

"I am confident of putting up a good fight. Our Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio failed the state and his own constituency for the last 30 years....He will have many questions to answer," Congress candidate in Northern Angami 2 - Sachu 

Now that former BJP leader K Doulo and NDPP's K G Kenye battle lines are drawn, the much controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is back in debate in Nagaland.

A student from the area, told this journalist, "Are Chizami voters now being made mere tools to push the CAA? It is very sad that NDPP and the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had played into the hands of BJP central leaders".

Congress takes the plunge : Bharat Jodo Yatra Impact

Is Chizami: Stepping Stone for CAA?

New Delhi/Kohima

The next stage of the game is on. Encouraged by Bharat Jodo Yatra and good traction drawn by Rahul Gandhi, now even in Nagaland the Congress is ready to sweat it out to field candidates in key assembly segments.

 

The pradesh Congress chief K Therie will be trying his electoral fortune after many years from Dimapur I. 

It could appear symbolic but it is crucial. Dimapur is a strong Sema community bastion and Therie himself will be aware of all other limitations. BJP's nominee Tovihoto Ayemi is no easy pushover. 

But it is also important that as the leader of a fledgling Congress he gives the right signals. "I am leading all the gang from the front," he says shyly, but adds, "But I am excited about it".

Leading from the front !

A good Chakhesang spirit comes into play once again. The party tried a few surprise candidates including an eminent contestant from one of the key segments in Mokokchung district, but it did not work out.

"Naga leaders are prisoners of their village decisions and in most cases the villagers look only towards

Delhi.... You wish me luck from Delhi," said Therie betraying the 'trust' of an old acquaintance.

The 4000 km long journey undertaken by the former Congress chief in 146 days has possibly raised some hopes among those who cherish the 'achhey din' of the pre-2014 era.

 

It was an era of neither Modi-Shah duo in Delhi nor Rio-Himanta duo in the region.

"Today for the BJP, the main draw for the 2024 parliamentary elections would be the completion of the Ram temple...," goes a hard-hitting edit in 'The Shillong Times'.

The Congress has shown the old 'fighting spirit' by nominating Seyievilie Sachu from Northern Angami II.

"I am confident of putting up a good fight. Our Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has failed the state and his own constituency for the last 30 years....He will have many questions to answer," Sachu told 'Nagaland Page'.

"No, Mr Rio will not get the crown uncontested this time....He was our MLA for three decades but perhaps only four to five people in my constituency have developed," said Sachu. Congress has also named Rosy Thomson for Tenning. 

 Analysts say the latent support base for Congress in Nagaland was proved by K L Chishi in his 

valiant fight in 2019 parliamentary polls. Still the task ahead for Therie and his team will be huge.

It is true, the once-dominant Congress now controls less than 10 percent of elected seats in Lok Sabha.

Yes, analysts do say Rahul Gandhi’s public image has improved due to Bharat Jodo, but his lieutenants

like Therie believe "...all of us have to work harder to convert that into electoral success".

Also in the game this year is the AAP. But Asu Keyho's 'common people' venture came a bit late.

Arvind Kejriwal, however, has a certain 'celebrity status' attached to his image for the anti-corruption crusade. But is corruption an issue in Nagaland? "The much needed platform of AAP now gives a ray of new hope, new vision," says Nagaland AAP chief Asu Keyho.

Of course the highlights of Saturday's ticket distribution saga is LJP (Ram Vilas) fielding Dr A Sukhato

and Kevechutso Doulo from Pughoboto and Chizami respectively.

Both these seats were 'sacrificed' by the BJP in favour of NDPP and hence the development is dramatic

and crucial. Doulo still says, "I am an admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Interestingly on Jan 29th, last Sunday, BJP's ticket aspirants like Doulo and Dr A Sukhato had gone to respective community churches for Sunday Service and had prayed. 

Even then there was speculation --- who knows how many 'BJP Karyakartas and leaders' will be wearing the saffron cap by next Sunday --- the fear has been proved right.

ends