BJP's over dependence on ex-Congress leaders is turning into a disease
Chingwang Konyak is an ex-Congressman and does he feel uncomfortable with BJP ?
BJP's Kerala-based leader Anil Antony, who unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls,has been made in-charge of Nagaland and Meghalaya. In the process he replaces Nalin Kohli and Nagaland's vocal leader M Chuba Ao.
Anil Antony is son of Congress veteran A K Antony -- also a well known Sonia Gandhi loyalist.That way Anil Antony was a good catch to be offered 'saffron scarf'.
But to make him in chargeof two Christian-dominated states just because he is a Catholic and that once a Congressman willnot make much sense.
Meghalaya has been a tough state to handle for the BJP even as a lot of political penetration wasmade during the stint of M Chuba Ao. Incidentally, Chuba has been retained as national vicepresident as long as incumbent J P Nadda continues as the party's national president.In the 2023 polls, the BJP fought alone but could not make any big impact.
Anil Antony contested from the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency with nearly 40 percent Christian voters. But the pro-Hindu party's efforts to wrest the seat from rival Congress has failed again.
In the north east context and especially in Nagaland and Meghalaya, the BJP's journey has been mixedamid challenges which can be called complex. One in-charge for BJP was typically pro-NDPP and hencethe saffron party compromised heavily and gave 40 seats to the Chingwang-Rio party. The first round ofimpact was seen in February 2023 polls which NDPP won and Neiphiu Rio emerged as the man of the match.
But the real catch was in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls that exposed the 'elephant' in the room. BJP legislatorImkong Imchen calls it the "anti-incumbency". He also underlines the obvious that while electing SupongmerenJamir, the Naga voters in effect rejected the NDPP symbol and the candidate.In other words, it was a wakeup call.
All the king's horses and resources cannot make Chumben Murry -a lawmaker in the Lower House of Parliament.The real answer to the question why BJP has been unable to do much in Nagaland and also Meghalayaprobably lies in Assam.It's the 'Himanta factor'. Being BJP chief minister(s) in their own right give added credibility to N Biren Singh and Pema Khandu in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh respectively. They do not have to run to Himantato 'deal' with the BJP high command.
Neiphu Rio and Conrad Sangma in contrast as allies give importance to NEDA convener and sometimes beyond necessities as well. There have been reports of Himanta's unwarranted interference in Meghalaya. Closer home there came a time when NDPP leaders started believing only Himanta can resolve the Naga issue.
Chingwang Konyak is an ex-Congressman and whether he feels uncomfortable today for the alliance withthe BJP is now a subject matter of public debate. This debate should also refer to Supongmeren's victory.Why is there a talk that Supongmeren's win is a 'gift' for Rahul Gandhi in the year he was elevatedas the Leader of the Opposition?
Conrad Sangma cannot be blamed for the losses his party suffered in Tura and Shillong.The victory of Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon of Voice of the People Party (VPP) against a performingMP Vincent Pala (Congress) is another crucial message -- the good old 'hardline' regionalismis being talked about in Shillong yet again.Hence, the BJP's "unacceptability" in Meghalaya will grow further.
The BJP high command and PM Narendra Modi find a big talent in Kiren Rijiju from Arunachal Pradesh.But he also has a history of quitting BJP and embracing Congress when the saffron party was humbled in the Lok Sabha polls in 2009. Now Rijiju is Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
This is also a tough assignment in the 18th Lok Sabha where Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition. Who took initial rounds in the maiden opening session of Parliament is another chapter of debate. But how Rijiju performed in his new role may be debated.
No doubt he has friends in Congress but that's not an added quality. Rather most Congress leaders will be presumably unhappy withhim (for having deserted the grand old party) to make any adjustment and cooperate with the government's floor managers.
The Congress party in the past always benefited from a towering personality like Pranab Mukherjeeand even Ghulam Nabi Azad did well as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister under Manmohan Singh.
That kind of talent is lacking in the BJP and even if there is someone, the Modi-Shah duo seemsto be not much interested as of now. The gloves have been removed. But Team Modi believes ex-Congressmen and womencan be used to intensify the battle against Rahul Gandhi.
ends
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