What's there to celebrate about ULB polls, outcome ?
"Rooster also is infected with Lotus virus and the Globe is spinning"
New Delhi
There goes a very popular communist story.
Nikita Khrushchev was the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964.
Once he was to denounce Joseph Stalin’s 'mistakes'.A voice was raised at the back of the hall, saying, “And where wereyou, Comrade Khrushchev?" Khrushchev looked for the man and scrutinized the faces before him, but found no one.Visibly angry he said, “Who spoke up?"
No one answered. “Who spoke up?" Khrushchev asked again. Still no one answered. Then Khrushchev exclaimed, “Comrade, I was where you are now."
Well, the Naga leaders could be here and there where Khrushchev was.
That's the power of Power Politics. Neiphiu Rio is back where he wasso natural ... so dominant. Headlines screamed - NDPP sweeps polls.
On the other hand, the BJP could win as many as 25 seats. Independent candidates claimed more than double 56 seats. Other parties together made 44 -- much lessthan Independents. And Rio-Chingwang Konyak led NDPP managed 152 seatsacross Nagaland. Who remembers what happened during Lok Sabha polls ?
In politics, both failure and success could be contagious.
Nagaland is at a crossroads -- face to face to a troubling convergence of extortion linked tounresolved Naga political issue and there are escalating debt burdens on many individuals.There are other human problems - corruption, misgovernance, joblessness andyoung children and business people planning to leave the state.Dimapur's loss is being linked to Khatkati's gain !
In short, there is a complex scenario.
The Lok Sabha mandate in Nagaland was used by people to show their anguish. Nagasare also forgetful. All bitterness ended quickly and in 25 wards -- the Hindutva was aforgotten word as the saffron party candidates came triumphant.At the same time, the NPF also held on its ground where it mattered since statehood.
This is a much needed face-saver for the second oldest regional outfit in India after DMK in far off Tamil Nadu--- which was also almost written off.
Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu missed out party presidentship after veteran regionalist Shurhozelie took retirement in October last year.
The Chakhesang Nagas have been traditionally pro-regional but during the heydays of Congress they have often sent a few Congress legislators from Phek town, Pfutsero and also Chizami.
"To all NPF party ticket participants, irrespective of the election results, I extend my deepest appreciation and congratulations. Your commitment and passion for serving ....Together, let us strive for a brighter and better future for Phek , Bhandari including other towns," Azo issueda statement.
The real smiling man on June 29th has been Chief Minister Rio. This win was necessary and will put him and his party and also the NDPP-BJP alliance on a forward march. Is reshuffle or a cabinet expansion still on cards?
Parties like LJP (Ram Vilas) and NCP and NPP could be waiting in the wings.
After unexpected and unprecedented success of Congress in recent Lok Sabha polls against NDPP-BJP nominee Chumben Murry, all sorts of interpretation, misinterpretation and commentaries were flooded. Hence there was an added interest for ULB polls in Nagaland.
For Rio, it's proof yet again that the taste of the cake is in its eating. This is a case of gettingback the lost ground. His electoral supremacy reins.
Another version -- but a vital one - about the ULB polls is -- it will not have any politicalimpact. It came, it was fought and the game is over.
The Turkish Nobel laureate, Orhan Pamuk, once lamented: “I live in a country singularly devoid of books ....that views the nonreader as the norm and the reader as somehow defective".
In the Nagaland context; do we know the 'defectives' and 'normal' ones? Change the word from -- 'reader' to Leader ; -- and there may be an answer.Money is still the driving force and Boleros do make a difference.
One social activist summed up his version of a paradoxical story -- by his Nagamesestatement: "Development napabo NDPP lagibo ... Kohima Manu hi Malik Ase.... Supong sahabDelhi jaisey".
I thought of getting a good English translation from a Congressman -- and he surprisedme when he wrote back: "Hand is not moving. Rooster also is already infected with the Lotus virus and the Globe is spinning now but all have to die a slow death".
Pamuk says if you do not find good books to buy, write a few yourself. There is a message.
ends
Lovely piece incorporated by use of Nagamese dialect here and there. Interesting equations in that State with unique people and the politics therein 👌😊
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