Newly appointed BJP VP Chuba Ao hails P A Sangma's sagacity
New Delhi
"I feel humbled by the trust and faith shown in me," says BJP's newly inducted Vice President, M Chuba Ao.
This is for the second time, he got the crucial assignment. Interacting with a group of youngsters including students from Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkimon virtual mode, he said, "I am going to surprise you. As a rival, I always criticise the Congress. But individually Late P A Sangma ji was a great leader.
When he became Lok Sabha Speaker, he said, "I know I am the first tribal Speaker. I know the responsibility; if I fail, everyone will say a tribal has failed".
Chuba Ao said, "The same situation applies to me.....I am the first Naga and also first northeastern tribal leader to get this post. So, I should not fail"
Late P A Sangma was a Congress veteran for many years and became Speaker in 1996. Of course, Sangma was also part of the troika with Sharad Pawar and Tariq Anwar in 1999 quitting Congress and forming NCP on the ground of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin.
Chuba is incidentally in charge of Meghalaya where NPP leader Conrad Sangma is the Chief Minister. Conrad is Late P A Sangm'a son and the party NPP too was floated by the former Lok Sabha Speaker.
Fielding questions on the Manipur impasse and the roles played by the BJP both in Imphal and Delhi, Chuba Ao was critical of the Congress and other opposition parties.
"They have brought a No Confidence Motion, but they will get a befitting reply on the floor of Lok Sabha," Chuba said, according to sources in his office.
Chuba, who hails from Nagaland, pointed out that in 1993 when there was the height of Kuki-Naga clashes, the then Union Minister of State for Home Rajesh Pilot spent "three hours in Imphal".
Compared to this, he said, "Our Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur for three days. My colleague and MoS Home Nityanand Rai camped himself in Imphal for 20 days".
The BJP national vice president also said - What an ex chief of the Indian Army, General Naravane has stated that there could be the possibility of 'foreign angle' must be understood.
"I think he is a learned man. Gen Naravane knows our region. He served at Jakhama and Rangapahar. So, we should give due weightage to words from such experts. Naravane ji is also a man of few words," Chuba said.
One participant from SIkkim then said, "Do you agree China could be involved......and (pauses)
Naga insurgents have in the past taken help from China?"
To this question, Mr Chuba's response was : "I am not competent and authorized to speak about foreign countries.
This is a very sensitive issue. Our experts, diplomats and leaders in the government are examining all these
and they will speak in Parliament during the debate on the No Confidence Motion".
One female young entrepreneur from Tura in Meghalaya asked him -- "Uncle Chuba, what is your
mission in life as a BJP leader because your party is pro-Hindu?"
The BJP national Vice president (Chuba) replied stating, "Firstly, as a Naga, a tribal and a Christian, I have
never faced any problem from my party. So why call us pro-Hindu? We are hundred percent pro-inclusive
for all, for growth and development. The Prime Minister has said it repeatedly, we
don't do anything for Hindus or Muslims; we do and want inclusive growth of every citizen".
"When toilets were made, roads were made and bridges came up, did they come up only for Hindus....
The developmental works have been immense in Assam and also Manipur," he stated.
To another question, he said, "We have to contribute more sincerely for the cause of Peace in Nagaland.
As a BJP leader and as a member of Team Nadda and Team Modi I think, I should contribute my part
towards bringing all stakeholders for an early solution to our very old Naga issue".
ends
Several stalwarts dropped, Chuba Ao retained as BJP Natl Vice Prez
New Delhi
Gearing up for ensuing assembly elections in key states including politically sensitive Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and Lok Sabha polls next year, BJP chief J P Nadda on Saturday, July 29, carried out key reshuffle of the national office bearers.
Several stalwarts including the likes of Dilip Ghosh from West Bengal and Sunil Deodhar, once architect of party's spectacular win in Tripura in 2018, have been dropped.
Senior Naga leader M Chuba Ao has been, however, retained as a national vice president showing party central leadership's trust in him. Chuba Ao, a former BJP state unit chief in Nagaland, had joined the saffron party in 1991 at a time when politicians used to "stay away from the Hindutva-based outfit".
In fact, Chuba was taken in the previous BJP office bearers' team in September 2020 when he was made a national vice president by Mr Nadda. He was made in-charge of Meghalaya and the senior leader has been shouldering various party works including in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
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| Congress veteran Hokishe with Rajiv Gandhi |
The BJP's 'Team Nadda' and Mr Chuba in it probably has a political message.
Nagaland has been one of the most Congress-friendly states for decades. But never in the Congress, the Naga leaders were given such importance and high posts in the party organisation at the national level, a source claimed.
Of course, veteran Hokishe Sema was included in the the AICC Strategy Team during P V Narasimha Rao's stint and the panel was headed by Pranab Mukherjee.
For his part, Jamir served as Deputy Railway Minister between 1968 and 1970 and have been chairman of North East Congress Coordination Committee from time to time.
Both Hokishe and Jamir were made Governors during different times.
Former West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh has been dropped while Anil Antony, son of veteran Congress leader A K Antony, has been made a national secretary.
In a major move, Mr Nadda appointed an ex-Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor, Tariq Mansoor, also as national l vice president. Another minority face Abdullah Kutty from Kerala is also in new list.
The new list has 13 national vice-presidents, nine general secretaries, including B L Santhosh as the in-charge of party organisation, and 13 secretaries.
Lately, BJP MP in Rajya Sabha, S Phangnon Konyak, has been also getting importance. She is serving in key parliamentary panels. Last week, she became the first Naga leader to preside over the proceedings in Rajya Sabha as a vice chairperson.
From northeast, Dilip Saikia has been dropped and instead Rajya Sabha MP, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa replaced him as a national secretary.
"Congratulations to all the newly appointed @BJP4India office bearers including my friend and valued colleague in the Rajya Sabha, @KamakhyaTasa Ji as National Secretary. Wishing you all the best in the service of the nation," Ms Phangnon tweeted.
ends
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| Jamir: And his Cowboy hat !! |
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