Whispering silence on NPF, NDPP merger
New Delhi/Kohima
The egg and the chicken story -- on what came first is an ancient fable. In the 21st century the post-modernisation Naga political debate is -- what is greater, the Cock or the Globe.
Shurhozelie's Cock goes crowing notwithstanding the change in weather and Chingwang's Globe is still moving around on a needle of 'power politics'. In Delhi, there is a whispering silence that the NPF and the NDPP could go for a merger deal. This had started sometime back and definitely before someone offered a 'long rope' from a prestigious building not far from Pragati Maidan !
Blogger and veteran regionalist and ex CM Shurhozelie
For some of us the story seemed to have come back like the hands of a clock -- to the same position where it all started. Years back Chalie Kevichusa, K L Chishi and Kariba fought with NPC (Vizol and Vamuzo). But the Cock survived nevertheless and remained with the Vizol and Vamuzo camp. Shurhozelie was also part of the team.
During T N Seshan's tenure as the Chief Election Commissioner in 1997, Vamuzo, as NPC chief, was summoned on why the Cock symbol should not be freezed. It was an environmental concern and love for the fighting bird, said the EC.
Vamuzo air-dashed with a detailed response and before leaving Kohima, he said, "We are fighting cocks and Nagas cannot give it up". The Cock as the symbol started during UDF tenure when even S C Jamir wore a regionalist hat; and one can add, incumbent Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was the Youth UDF president.
Cock remained the proud regionalist's symbol during NDPP and NPC days and later when NPF was formed in 2002. Both Shurhozelie and Rio worked together happily till 2014.
In 2017, Chingwang Konyak and Alemtemshi Jamir with the 'blessings' from a Naga leader floated NDPP.
Chingwang is still its chief; but more of a silent one and Alemtemshi has walked away.
Possibly Alemtemshi Jamir gave the party its motto -- 'Facta, non verba' ... meaning “actions speak louder than words". Who knows that better than the voters of Feb 27, 2023 polls. NPC's guiding philosophy has been -- 'Fide Non Armis' meaning -- “by faith, not arms”.
T R Zeliang was in the NPF and was the chief ministerial face even for 2018 polls and even next few months; but he is now happy as Rio's Deputy Chief Minister with an NDPP scarf around the neck.
'fighting cock' Vamuzo
But Globe is no match to the Cock as a symbol of a warrior community. Here comes the puzzle. If we have the merger, the natural political flow would be that NPF joins the larger party, the NDPP, and also upholds its symbol - the Globe.
""Hauha sekeliejù ......This is not acceptable" -- comes the Angami response. So, there is a suggestion of 'reverse merger' -- let the bigger party NDPP merge with the two-MLA strong outfit and all become 'regionalist fighting Cocks'.
Some may find it impractical. But politics never goes by logic.
"We have never seen the tomorrow...anything is possible," says one leader in the know of things in the NPF camp.
Most NDPP leaders avoid talking to 'unfriendly' media friends. The party has a big Denial strategy and people could be afraid to deal with them.
Moreover, some people love to listen to NDPP leaders' intellectual one-liners. K G Kenye recently got away with
his claim that there is 'no contempt' of court proceedings. He even
blamed Babus of the 2016-17 era for misleading the government of the day on the new ULB law
legislated by the centre and ordered by the Supreme Court to be implemented.
But it could be Rio's heart-in-heart desire that the Cock symbol also belongs to him. 'Yarrow unvisited ...." !
The proposed NPF convention in October later this year could pave the way for Shurhozelie's retirement.
The event otherwise slated for 2024 has been advanced.
Any Naga leader proud of his 'regional politics' can become the new president. A Chief Minister in office
is always a strong contender for any big or small competition. A merger can happen then; or someone
trusted by Shurhozelie takes over for a few months and he later creates ground to roll out the red carpet
for Chingwang, T R Zeliang and all others. G-21 of 2022 included or excluded !
Where will be the BJP in such a situation? The 'rope' or without rope -- it is the best party in Nagaland's
history with its very original Twitter jokes.
ends
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