"Who can forgive this?," said one leader who still thinks PM Narendra Modi will be able to turn the table vis-a-vis the public perception.
Congress has a future in Nagaland, but its past were mixed
New Delhi
The Nagaland Congress is on the move and with the right verbs.
At a function in Dimapur, state unit president and MP S Supongmeren Jamir spoke aptly about New Delhi's failures to live up to the expectations vis-a-vis the Framework Agreement of 2015 and the Agreed Position of 2017. He also flagged off the issue of good governance and the absence of it in Nagaland- now for quite some time.
The narratives suit Congress party's political jargon as the grand old party has been out of power in the state for the last 21 years and more.
The Lok Sabha elections and the more recent ULB polls were path-breaking developments. Democracy is a cherished political reality of our time but the year 2024 also offers big lessons for all - not merely at the state level but also at the global stage.
Elections in various countries in 2024 actually throw up glimpses of a set pattern and the new trends.There is public frustration, deteriorating job scenario and economic meltdown contributing to strong anti-incumbency sentiment.Hence, we must take a closer look at the mandates in different countries, especially France and the UK.There is a popular desire for change, and all these show common faceless voters are anguished at the growing political and economic exclusion.
The mandate in India has brought back Congress into the game at the national level alsodue to factors like joblessness and common people's anguish. It is lucky for the BJP that NarendraModi could still bring it back to power.
These realities along with Supongmeren's win suggest the grand old party may strike goldin the near future in Nagaland. Supong has to handle things in a more professional manner.
I have already held talks with half a dozen sitting legislators and other leaders from various parties such as NCP, NPF, NPP and LJP (Ram Vilas) and the revelation is that by 2028 assembly many of them in Nagaland will be keen to contest on Congress tickets.
Of course, some are still playing safe and insist that if Neiphiu Rio is in power; they could try the all important NDPP tickets as well.
But it is also crucial to keep in mind that no match in cricket is over till the last ballis delivered. In politics perhaps it is worse. Even in 'defeat' in normal definitions; one may try to bask in the reflected glories of 'moral victory'.
The Congress failed to come to power in Delhi for the third time in a row; yet the mood is upbeat in the party camp. However, the BJP will try to stem the trends and fight the Congress sometimes in new games and sometimes in the same game the Congress party plays often. Here comes the talks of Emergency and the context of Congress party's legacy.
Some years ago Late Vamuzo, a regional doyen and former Chief Minister, had claimed that on two counts the Congress had faulted in Nagaland but they never said sorry to Nagas for doing those.
One - the Congress government and Governor L P Singh had imposed the controversial Shillong Accord in 1975 resulting in much infighting and bloodshed among Nagas.
Secondly for continuing to support the Chandrashekhar government after it had banned NSCN along with the ULFA.
Lately, close on the heels of announcement of June 25th as the Samvidhan Hatya Divas; a few Naga leaders told me on the condition of anonymity - "The Shillong Accord is a legacy of the Emergency period and it is true that this had divided Nagas and also resulted in misunderstanding among our own people and bloodshed".
"Who can forgive this?," said another leader who still thinks PM Narendra Modi will be able to turn the table vis-a-vis the public perception.
The announcement of June 25th as the Constitution Murder Day has come in the year 2024 on the 49-50th year of imposition of Emergency.
The controversial Shillong Accord was signed at Shillong on November 11, 1975. It is worth mentioning that the Emergency was imposed by the Indira Gandhi regime on June 25, 1975 and it lasted till March 21, 1977 for 21 months. Vamuzo was arrested and taken to Nagaon jail in Assam.
In the polls after Emergency Rano Shaiza could humble Congress stalwart Hokishe Sema in the Lok Sabha polls.
In the signing of the Shillong Accord, the Indian government was represented by L P (Lallan Prasad Singh), the Governor of Nagaland. The Governor was assisted by M L Kampani, Joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and by two advisors for Nagaland—M. Ramunny and H. Zopianga.
Nagaland's underground organisations were represented by leaders including I. Temjenba, S. Dahru, Veenyiyl Rhakho, Z. Ramyo, M. Assa, and Kevi Yalie — younger brother of Zapu Phizo, who was President of the Naga National Council (NNC) and was in exile in London from 1956 till his death, according to Wkipedia.
The Liaison committee of Nagaland Peace Council (NPC) was represented by five church leaders like Longri Ao, M. Aram, L. Lungalang, Kenneth Kerhuo, and Lungshim Shaiza.
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