Ending days of suspense, Team Rio calls on Amit Shah on ENPO issue

 Long wait, biscuits and 'empathetic understanding'

New Delhi 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah showed  "....unwavering patience and empathetic understanding towards the issues of our State, which were the primary focus of our meeting today", tweeted Deputy Chief Minister and BJP legislative party leader Y Patton.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Rajya MP S Phangnon Konyak, however, did not tweet anything till around 2130 hours. 

'Nagaland Page'

Yes, finally, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his ministerial colleagues including two deputy CMs T R Zeliang and Patton and BJP Rajya Sabha MP, S. Phangnon Konyak, met Home Minister Shah and understandably discussed matters concerning Eastern Nagaland and creation of autonomous body Frontier Nagaland Territory.

Mr Patton's tweet, however, does not specify Eastern Nagaland and simply says "the issues of our state". "His (Shah's) consistent support and dedication are truly commendable," Patton further wrote.

One source later said, "I will get back to you with more information at a later stage". Another participant at the meeting shot back,: "What cold shoulder.....he gave us tea and biscuits too".

Shah had cancelled the July 4 meeting with the Nagaland Cabinet led by Rio ostensibly because he was engaged with matters related to Manipur and also the political upheaval in Maharashtra.

"I think I will call it the last moment cancellation," said one source on Tuesday without elaborating further.  Chief Minister Rio had gathered all his ministerial colleagues including Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton of BJP to discuss matters pertaining to Eastern Nagaland with the Union Home Minister.

There was an earlier indication that the NDPP leaders could raise the UCC issue but the political developments in Maharashtra and BJP leader Sushil Modi's suggestion that tribals across India could be kept "out of the provisions of the UCC" had nullified the stiff opposition.

Out of nowhere the NDPP suddenly found a new rhythm and started attacking UCC almost forgetting they are alliance partners of the BJP since 2018 and Rio as NPF leader has been dealing with the 'ideological issues' of the saffron party for the last two decades. And Uniform Civil Code for BJP is nothing new or something out of the blue as a political mission.

 

“Introducing a common civil code for the populace will surely have adverse results in achieving the ideals of the country," the Rio-led NDPP has said, triggering speculation whether NCP's seven MLAs will have a bigger role to play in near future. 

Moreover, Y Patton and senior party Imkong L. Imchen met BJP leaders including some defeated candidates and apparently they discussed electoral politics and how NCP MLAs could humble BJP nominees.

Interestingly, one meeting was organised at the Nagaland House on July 4 (Tuesday) between Nagaland ministers and advisor, northeast, A K Mishra. The former IB official is also the interlocutor for Naga peace talks.

Some people have suggested that there is still a need to debate subjects like the Sixth Schedule, a source said. The 6th Schedule of the Constitution in effect describes the establishment of autonomous district councils in Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and Assam. These ADCs aim to safeguard and maintain tribal culture. 

Now in the ultimate, with what 'big message' the Nagaland cabinet is going back to the state is not yet clear.

Was summoning all ministers in Delhi really an effective plan? Whose idea was it?

 A section in the ruling NDPP-BJP alliance is suggesting that both Mishra on the July 4th meeting and Amit Shah (on July 5th) assured that no final decision will be taken on the autonomy for Eastern Nagaland without consulting the state government.

There is hardly any rocket science or anything new in that claim. The centre will need a state assembly resolution for forward movement on Frontier Nagaland. 

But a question remains after the Mishra panel had given a specific assurance to ENPO leaders last year on the formation of the autonomous body; what extraordinary thing the supposed Tripartite meeting(s) will achieve.

Is Nagaland heading towards another round of unending series of meetings, consultative meetings and so on? 

To remain 'evasive' is the best political option it seems.

Can the election-bound Netas guided by former cops behaving like Babus be expected to solve most complex problems under the sky - be in Manipur or Nagaland?

One quick reflex answer is  -- every former cop is not Mr R N Ravi.

ends