As Union Rural Development Minister, Jairam Ramesh promoted Durbari culture. He had a favourite correspondent -- 'man' from 'The Hindu'.
We did not mind. I represented 'The Statesman' those days and one of my editors was pro-Jairam. Yet I was never in Jairam's good book !!
And many years later ....even now Jairam is religiously and self-righteously pursuing 'durbari' culture !!
(In 2019, former CM K L Chishi almost won the Nagaland seat for Congress. Does Jairam know him?)
Local journalists in Nagaland were upset.
Pre-fixed/stage-managed Press Conference
The local journalists in Nagaland have expressed disappointment over the manner in which the first press conference of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after commencing the BJNY was conducted at Chiephobozou ground, some 29 Kms from the state capital today.
Enthusiastic journos from Kohima and Dimapur rushed to the press conference venue on self arrangements after covering Gandhi’s visit to WW-II Cemetery-walk up to Phoolbari and public rallies at Phoolbari and High School junction.
However, as the press conference started it was surprising to note that it was pre-fixed or stage managed one as the anchor of the session and senior Congress leader Jai Ram Ramesh was calling out specific names of journalists to ask the question.
(as reported by 'Nagaland Page')
See Link : 'Nagaland Page': Pre-fixed press conference
(This newspaper has the reputation of being anti-establishment that is anti-BJP/NDPP in Nagaland and yet .... Jairam is no bothered. Rahul Gandhi cannot be bothering either.)
Some journalists accompanying him by now must have told Rahul: "Sir, you are winning 250 seats....just need 22-23.... Modi has already lost. Wait for next edits in Telegraph, Wire, Indian Express and Karan Thapar's interview....Modi is nowhere". etc etc .... (sic...)
Manipur has two seats and Nagaland one. So far, Rahul Gandhi has covered three parliamentary seats!! Watch out for May 2024 election results ....
Junket for some cadres is good no doubt !! And we are waiting for press club 'expertise' commentary ..... "Rahul has swept north east variety commentary".
Congress once ruled supreme in northeast including Nagaland....it's a struggling outfit now. Two assembly polls 2018 and 2023 -- it could not open account. Jairam still looks intellectually clever !!
Nagas perplexed with no progress of Naga solution: Rahul Gandhi
Says PM Modi’s promise for solution made 9 years back has been broken
Kohima, Jan 16: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while expressing that Nagas are perplexed with the Naga Political negotiation not making progress, today said that the promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a final solution has been broken.
“I have been speaking to quite a few Naga leaders and they are actually perplexed as to why no progress has been made. Frankly, we are not clear as to what the Prime Minister envisioned in terms of a solution,” said Gandhi while addressing a press conference at Chiephobozou, Kohima as part of his Nagaland chapter of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
“It (Framework Agreement) is a superficial document that says we are going to work towards peace and have joint sovereignty… it is not clear what exactly they mean.
A lot of the Naga organizations here simply are not clear what the Prime Minister was trying to do and what the way forward is,” he said.
Clearly, there is a problem that needs resolution… a problem that requires conversation, listening to each other and working in implementing a solution and that is lacking as far as the Prime Minister is concerned, he said.
“The Prime Minister promises things without thinking them through… he promised many things like to the youth he promised about education & employment,” Gandhi said.
People are disturbed with the Prime Minister’s credibility that nothing has happened for nine years, he said, adding that “the promise made by the Prime Minister nine years back has been broken”.
Asked if INDI Alliance would work for a solution, Gandhi said “we are committed to a solution to the Naga issue”.
It's paradoxical, and a bit historical. A party which ruled Nagaland for years and was graced by nationalists such as Hokishe Sema, S C Jamir, J B Jasokie -- and many of them sustained bullet injuries, the same Congress has lost its relevance in Nagaland.
In two subsequent assembly polls - 2018 and 2023 the Congress score has been zero. The 2023 performance had a more truthful message. All parties contesting the polls this year in Nagaland -- likes of little known RPI (Athawale) and LJP (Ram Vilas) could open their account; but Congress scored zero.
India's grand old party contested 23 seats out of 60 and total votes polled was 40,810.
The vote share being 3.56 per cent. Compared to it, NCP's vote share was 9.56 (7 seats). National People's Party of Conrad Sngma 5.76 - 5 seats, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 8.64 - 2 seats and Republican Party of India (Athawale) polled 3.69 percent of votes -- also won 2 seats.
In other words, Congress party's performance was even 'worse' than RPI (Athawaley) or LJP (Ram Vilas).
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