Encountering Politics: Tale of two Chief Ministers - Neiphiu Rio and Conrad

New Delhi 

All eyes are on May 1 hearing in the Supreme Court on contempt of court hearing. Let us call it breach of court as Mr K G Kenye has tried to put forward an argument.

India's apex court is hardly a ruthless establishment and never acts so fast and hence no one is expecting any dramatic and drastic verdict.

The otherwise fund-crunch Nagaland government and its Chief Minister Rio have resources and legal men to fight the case legally for a longer period of litigation. The issue is not what happens to the Chief Minister or his government for repealing a law which the Supreme Court considered valid. The real issue is what is happening to the governance around. 

I interacted with Governor La Ganesan last fortnight and found him well-informed about the matter but he showed confidence that things will be worked out.

Rio's new Parliamentary Affairs Minister K G Kenye says the bureaucracy ---- 'poor Babudom' for a change --- is to be blamed for implementing the central law. Netas know how to be the masters of people's fate !

He also expects a "just" judgement from the highest court of the country. Kenye must be playing out for his 'new leader' -- the Chief Minister. Only a few years back, 'another leader' Shurhozelie was displeased

with Kenye's conduct in the Rajya Sabha in voting in favour of a law that in general people in Nagaland and other northeastern states have been opposing. Hope no one is blaming bureaucrats for "understanding" on CAA ?

Notwithstanding a former Rajya Sabha MP and a 'more matured' player himself, Kenye is now trying to replace the former parliamentary affairs Minister Neiba Kronu. Good luck for that !

But our chief protagonist is Mr Rio -- also a five-term CM. Where does he stand ...Does he stand on his ground?

Rio has benefited from Amit Shah's 20:40 formula and so did the saffron party. The gamble BJP played in Meghalaya by contesting all 60 seats in contrast to the favourite '20:40 formula of the year 2022' in Nagaland showed Shah was right. The Naga voters could have rendered the saffron outfit to two or three strong party in Nagaland too. 

But post-elections we presumed Rio has grown stronger than his previous stint. His deputy Y Patton returned to the assembly is another story to explore at a later stage. In Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma-led NPP  won 26 seats as against 25 by NDPP but between Rio and the Meghalaya Chief Minister; it seems Mr Sangma has started on a right track in the new stints.

Even Congress rivals of Conrad in Meghalaya say he is displaying 'matured leadership'. One Meghalaya pradesh Congress office bearer told this journo: "So far after elections Conrad Sangma has not done any mistake to give the impression that he has grown stronger or arrogant after the February 2023 polls. We have had no such chance to corner him."

Notably, all NPP's detractors -- the Congress, BJP and Trinamool Congress including former stalwart Mukul Sangma-- now stand marginalised.

However, Conrad is not showing himself as a vulnerable creature in office. On the other hand though political situation is different, Mr Rio is unable to show his strength in real sense.

The winning of election was a great triumph -- at least this is what we believe; but according to his friend K Therie the Chief Minister has stopped smiling! Only good and intimate friends can be such good observers.

Rio's friendship with another Tenyimi leader Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu is also an important feature. The NPF legislature party leader told 'Nagaland Page' that he will do everything to 'expose' the grey areas and weaknesses of the Rio-led dispensation.

But he also says the decision to repeal the controversial ULB law was a wise decision. Of course the Supreme Court did not agree to the view expressed by Azo Nienu.

NPF leader Azo

Playing as a dutiful lieutenant to Rio, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kenye says, it is high time to bring an 'official translation/interpretation' of the Article 371 (A)'. This sounds little exaggeration. 

But his statement -- "The executives should take the responsibility of not guiding our government of those years (2016-17)" vis-a-vis municipal bodies actually borders along a danger zone.

Chief Minister Rio has been in power for long. He was a MP in Lok Sabha too and Kenye himself has been a seasoned lawmaker both in Kohima and in Delhi (Rajya Sabha). So, how does it justify them to find fault with the bureaucracy? Paradoxically they are giving an escape route to T R Zeliang -- now Deputy CM. Do Netas want power and benefits of office without any accountability?

A good workman will never blame his tool. A good political master will never look for 'survival' by hook or crook and blame the poor and helpless Babudom. 

If the past Babus get such blame on such a high profile issue, far worse may actually come for officials who are serving the NDPP-BJP regime and the five-term CM. The argument made that the state government implemented the law earlier only to draw financial assistance for municipal bodies is somewhat childish and silly.  It also governance is generally guided by singular motto to draw funds from Delhi.

Meanwhile, is the central BJP a bit embarrassed by all these? 

Even if the Supreme Court spares the Rio regime on May 1 over 'breach of court' proceedings, Amit Shah and Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju will quickly reassess the efficacy of the new dispensation in Kohima. Himanta Biswa Sarma -- 'an additional power centre for Nagaland' may again play a peace maker and a 'Jack of all trades' as far as the 16th state of Indian union is concerned.

Ends 

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