Nagaland could have become a role model of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'

 

Nagaland could have become a role model of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' 

Govt of India can rework strategies with the NNPG as the nucleus 

New Delhi 

Close on the heels of electoral setbacks in Lok Sabha polls, the Modi government  is now keen to revive its vision and spirit of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas especially in the context of northeast India.

The Manipur-mess haunts the Modi-Amit Shah dispensation more than they could imagine and comprehend. The BJP and its NDA allies lost five crucial seats in Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland. 

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The defeats in Nagaland for NDPP, for BJP in Manipur Inner and for NPP nominee Agatha Sangma in Tura in Meghalaya send a couple of big messages.

In another Christian-dominated state of Mizoram, the rocks were always solid hard and the Lotus(BJP's symbol) could not grow much. In fact, Mizoram is the only state in northeast where NDA is not in power. Chief Minister Lalduhoma-led ZPM, which humbled BJP's ally Mizo National Front (MNF)

in 2023 polls, is not part of so-called Himanta Biswa Sarma-led NEDA.

The new BJP president will have to take a call for replacing NEDA convener Himanta notwithstanding an over emphasis laid about him by the senior most chief minister in the region - that is Mr Neiphiu Rio.

In fact, making Rio the new NEDA convener will be one of the most justified political decisions vis-a-vis the reality of 2024 politics -- where Modi magic is now being questioned.

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It is a matter of fact that in the 2024 general elections when the Ram temple construction was an election issue,

Modi himself allegedly tried introducing the 'fear of minorities' in the Hindu voters. But this was mostly about Muslims.

But after poll results on June 4, the Assam Chief Minister virtually unnecessarily spoke about one community working and voting against the BJP and NDA. In the hilly region, his statement was construed as anti-Christian.

Himanta has to blame himself for this over-smart rhetoric.

Recently, newly inducted Union Minister of state for minority affairs George Kurian visited Mizoram and his intent has been to underline that the saffron outfit is not anti-Christian.

One visit is just a negligible tokenism if the Modi-led NDA (post 2024 polls) wants to change the perspective.

In the perception war, the BJP is still considered anti-Christian just as Shri Amit Shah is perceived to be too strict and a hard taskmaster. 

But Rio and cabinet first between 2019 and 2023 February and the new one thereafter did not show any results vis-a-vis the Naga peace talks.

In retrospect actually a golden opportunity was lost. From 2018, the NDPP-BJP regime in power could not focus on the real task they were assigned -- the early Solution to the Naga issue.

The then Governor R N Ravi had generated hopes but Shah had obliged Rio and his sustained campaign and got a new man in Kohima Raj Bhavan.

In fact, the NDPP leaders claimed before NNPG leaders in a meeting in Delhi that removing Ravi as Governor was an achievement in the context of Naga peace talks.

The Naga peace talks strings are no longer in PMO or at Kohima Raj Bhavan; and by now Shah might have realised his mistake.

But the corrective steps ought to come effectively and after taking all matter under consideration. Nagaland as the 16th state of Indian Union is hub of about 20 tribes and other communities including Hindus, Muslims and Christians from other states.

If there was any state which does not allow monopoly or communal polarisation (including tribalism) ideally - its Nagaland.

The state also has a fantastic 'journey of history' of very healthy Naga-non Naga relationship.

Ideally, the spirit of the visionary declaration Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (With all, Development for

all) suits Nagaland state. 

Even other northeastern states do not offer so many distinct 'flowers in the bouquets'. 

Meghalaya, Mizoram and even Manipur has limited ethnic clans and communities as compared

to Nagaland.

But the state leaders never quite work on those lines.  

 

Analysts would argue that Kurian was deputed essentilly to revive the true spirit of 'Sabka Saath. Sabka Vikas'.

He has made a single and one-day visit to Mizoram. Kurian will have to travel more in the northeast especially

in states such as Manipur and Nagaland.

 

Finally, it is also not about religion and the Hindu-Christian narratives,

How many people do we know amongst youths who are educated but do not have

jobs? How many Nagaland government employees do we know who have not been paid salaries?

Why are there proxy teachers and why are there thin attendance in government schools and 

offices? 

In the 20204 elections, Modi says his BJP as a political outfit - went among the people with a great 

resolve. "We approached the people with a commitment to building a ‘Viksit Bharat’, with good intentions,"

the PM said in Lok Sabha. But when it comes to handling the northeast - the good old menaces of Love and Hate had returned. 

It came to Manipur due to multiple reasons but people were upset with Himanta all the more. If Himanta's words  during polls and later have to be given credence - Sabka Saath ... had gone for a toss.

The centre can rework this visionary statesmanship with a mission mode in Nagaland.

The NNPGs must be given a key role at the earliest. 

ends