On Voting day Amit Shah refers to Peace process
New Delhi
Back to the corridors of power, G-60 and their shenanigans.
In journalistic sense we are still awaiting the scoop of the decades - the Solution to the Naga political imbroglio.
But a large number of state politicians and their 'well wishers' are not interested to go jobless. So, we just had an election -- many Nagas seemingly did not want it.
Others wanted it not for saving democracy, but for their own motives and interest. But these elections come and go and none can avoid them.
"While Nagaland goes to vote today, I urge sisters and brothers of Nagaland to ensure that the peace process that has already been initiated does not face any hurdles," tweeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
As usual Naga militant groups gave statements urging cadres and sympathisers to stay away from 'Indian elections'.
We are back again with the new (also old) club of G-60.
As many as 53 members of the outgoing House have contested this year's Feb 27 polls. Interestingly, 26 of them had shifted to other parties. The presence of parties such as LJP (Ram Vilas) and RPI (Athawale) show die-hard BJP loyalists trying their luck under new party symbols.
Many just contested on different party tickets but will be keen to become minister even from the counting day itself.
'Nagaland Page' link
But the polls in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura are also the beginning of election frenzy in 2023.
Fierce contests are on cards in Karnataka by April-May and soon there will be battle of EVMs amid heat and dust in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Mizoram and also Telangana.
From northeast perspective, tribal vote is crucial for the BJP and PM Narendra Modi. The saffron party strategists eye bigger share of the cake in 2024 parliamentary polls. In all likelihood, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will have certain roles to play -- politically and with friendly resources - to woo tribal voters to the BJP and the NDA fold.
His friend and NEDA convener Himanta may enlist his assistance now on the electoral battle fields.
Left to them, the Lotus party poll strategists are eyeing around 400 seats. It could appear day dreaming, but
there need not be any family planning norms for such intent. In states like Gujarat, in December polls, the BJP
achieved what was seen as an unreachable target. Even 300 mark in 2019 was like day dreaming.
There also come deep economic and political crises in Pakistan and these may open avenues for more masculine
Hindutva-driven nationalistic jingoism.
The absence of hunger for win in Congress helps BJP boost their ambitions further.
See for instance, popular leader Shashi Tharoor was even deprived opportunity to address election rally at Dimapur. It is motivated strategies like this which has harmed the grand old party more than BJP's so called trump card - the Moditva. On the other hand, BJP works according to its plans.
Even the 'delay' in inking final Solution Pact in Nagaland is linked by some analysts to BJP's Mission 2024.
On this score, the BJP will be eyeing all 25 seats from north east for itself and its regional partners.
Nagaland Lok Sabha seat could be easily handed over to BJP by Rio and he could be even assigned to campaign in states such as Mizoram -- where hard rocks have so far prevented Lotus to bloom.
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| NNPG Kitovi: Banking on Peace and Modi |
Of course, recognising the importance of tribal population -- 8.5 to 9 percent across India, the Modi government has launched PM-Divine scheme with a budget of Rs 6000 crore for development of north east.
The BJP has pledged greater autonomy to Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous Council. In Nagaland by second week of March, ENPO leaders could be landing in Delhi yet again. The saffron party has promised a Development Board for the eastern region already. Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Tuensang and Mon promised that not a comma of what has been agreed will be changed.
For Naga insurgency issue, of course, PM Modi has yet again promised on Feb 24 : "Whatever I have promised to Gaon Burras, I will like to fulfill those".
A section of state leaders is not quite pleased with such statements. One of them considered close to power structures in Kohima even maintained, "I think nothing is expected before five years".
NPF leader K Azo Nienu thinks time is again ripe for opposition-less government. At Chizami, one never know the voters might have just participated in a historical election. Vamuzo as Chief Minister represented them though the fambuoyant regionalist belonged to Chazouba.
Corruption was the main electoral issue in Meghalaya polls even from the perspectives of BJP, which continues to be part of the Conrad Sangma government. But Nagaland is an exception because it is "unique".
ends
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| BJP flags near a popular Church in Kohima |
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