It's official and no secrecy and 'no veto power' from Bara Basti ::: "NPF continues to consider Neiphiu Rio an integral part of the party"

Who can ever know how many angels danced on the head of a needle !! 

-- Well, let us break it up. Not long back in medieval era there came the famous puzzle -- of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

This was a question about the relationship of the infinite God to the finite world. The refrain was if God the creator was all-powerful, logically, he should be able to bid an infinite number of angels to dance on the head of a pin. 

Some believe it has happened. Some do not.

Politics is more often about 'angels dancing'. When and how -- is the decision of the Neta class.

But in political theory we journalists often circulate another point of view - somewhat the classic one -- the best (surest) way to destroy ideology might be unleashing too many ideologues upon it.

The era of 'honesty' in corridors of power in Nagaland died long back when Vizol was the Chief Minister. 

The era of regional politics once was run by powerful three Vizol, Vamuzo and Shurhozelie. The fourth member was a disciple - Late Chalie Kevichusa.

Chalie parted ways when NPC was split on the issue of Vamuzo becoming chief minister and heading a government with Congress MLAs in the ministry. 

Rio - playing it well - Age is just numbers 

Neiphiu Rio had a bad taste of politics around that time. First he was disqualified for defecting. K L Chishi made him Power minister but when Vamuzo became Chief Minister - Rio was left as an MLA along with Chubatemjen Ao (who was Chishi's Finance minister). 

Rio was sincere Congressman for sometime. He led 'Goodwill Ministerial Mission' to Athibung and Peren and also to Kiphire when those areas witnessed a lot of group clashes and ethnic divisions.

When Chingwang insisted for contesting a by-election; S C Jamir deputed two trusted men Neiphiu Rio and K Therie to meet AICC general secretary SushilKumar Shinde. Chingwang was denied ticket.

When Rio and Therie came out of Congress, the NPC was converted to NPF.

Rio became chief minister multiple times - 2003, 2008 and 2013. In 2014 - much against the recommendation of Shurhozelie -- Rio contested Lok Sabha polls ane became an MP. His replacement T R Zeliang turned into a betrayer. The Shurhozelie-T R Zeliang made life miserable for Rio.

He waited patiently - played his game pretty well with Ram Madhav and became Chief Minister in 2018. For 2023 polls, with Ram Madhav axed out of BJP list of decision makers - Rio cultivated Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Now the new game - NDPP's merger with NPF on cards.

The NPF central executive council in its meeting at Kohima, Sept 6th, made a unique and open offer - that Rio (now NDPP leader) should take over the affairs of NPF.

This game was mooted in 2023. But Shurhozelie cleverly used his vet power to negate it. 

The NPF meeting is actually more than about building bridges. 

It is more about building a political stage (theatre) to tell your version to the world. 

This is where Rio wins and this is where Shurhozelie lost out but did it with his typical Bara Basti grace. As long as I could - I resisted type ...

The NPF-CEC resolution reaffirmed the earlier resolution dated 12th February 2025. inviting all former comrades of the NPF to return to the party in the larger interest of the party, in particular, and the Naga people in general.

"The CEC resolved to make a formal and special appeal to the Honourable Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, to rejoin the NPF and assume leadership of the party in the greater interest of the party and the Naga people. 

Neiphiu Rio, a strong regionalist and a senior member of the NPF, joined the party in 1974 as Youth President of Kohima Division and later served as Youth Wing President during the erstwhile UDF days. 

The NPF continues to consider him an integral part of the party, and his return to the NPF-his original political platform would send a positive message to the general public."

Many say a blog is a 'declaration' of an ego .. an independent view. A view that cannot make anyone and everyone happy.

Hence we have a question for NPF bosses to tell it clearly both to the Naga people and the Govt of India -- what is the 'positive message' people should accept.

If it is about finding an early Solution -- Rio's NDPP-BJP government has been the chief proponent of the Status quo club.  

The CM, Rio's ministerial colleagues including two deputy chief ministers and others have to clarify what's their stance for Solution.

The lip-service is so much that today officials in Home and Defence ministries believe - the Solution is not coming in next two-three years.

If  that's an achievement - NPF should explain how. 

And if it is not - the present NPF president Apong Pongener and vocal legislator Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienü should explain how things will change in near future. 

Opportunism is an art. Let us not make it a virtue.

Hence - more of meta physical dramas, meetings and theatric resolutions like the one in Ungma village will continue -- as long as there is enough oxygen provided by 'extortion' and the support base of Kohima.

The phrases - like Common Draft have done vanishing act despite New Delhi insisting on the same for an early Solution pact.

Rio - 'the stone pulling guy' - 2018 

Nagas like elders elsewhere love their children. They are moved by sentimentality of youthhood. The elderly netas may envy the innocence of youths.

But are they being sincerely concerned about the youngsters?

If Solution does not come now .... who knows -- it has already reached the stage of Never.

The comfort of Ceasefire could be derailed. 

The Modi Govt has the legacy of surprising friends and foes when it comes to taking a tough stance.  With the incumbent Prime Minister - the pace of politics often accelerates quite unexpectedly.

We journalists and bloggers are supposed to focus on what is new and fresh. 

But old stories offer some critical answers. 

Let us switch back to 1924 -- when Congress was in deep depression. The Congress party almost lost it way after failure of the the non-cooperation movement. 

It was then Mahatma Gandhi became president of Indian National Congress - only time in his life. 

In his speech Mahatma Gandhi said --- 

"I consider valuable for I deem myself a servant of God. I know that we cannot get swaraj in this way. 

.... the feeling that we have already got Swaraj. It means that we put on an act of swaraj. It is like seeing someone play the part of Harishchandra who is of course not Harishchandra. 

(Harishchandra was a truthful king and sacrificed his kingdom and also his son) 

"If you feel that it is not right, that Gandhi is deceiving you, then by all means reject it, have nothing to do with it."

ends