'Old friend' Therie's new googly will leave Neiph Rio red-faced.
Stating that the 'demand' for appointment of a new interlocutor as put forward by Nagaland Govt and the Rio-led Political Affairs committee has been rejected by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah; Congress leader Kewekhape Therie on Nov 5, 2025 said that : "Hon’ble CM Rio has pushed Shri Th. Muivah into a tight corner instead of rescuing".
"I believe the top priority for the people of Nagaland is a “peaceful solution". I also believe that peaceful solution is above religious division, political boundaries, factions and tribal divide,. Tribal divide, save Hon’ble CM Dr. Neiphiu Rio," Therie said in a statement.
K Therie : Showing former friend Rio's fault-line
He also said - "We all know of the negotiated Agreements and the offer made by the Government of India. We have heard Shri Th. Muivah demanding the flag and the constitution after the Framework Agreement was signed. The Agreement was signed after over 100 parleys spanning over 19 years.
Can we believe that the flag and the Constitution were forgotten while drafting and signing the Agreement? It has weakened the trust of Nagas."
The former Minister said while Muivah "has his own compelling situations" ; but he understands that in a democracy, the "people’s aspiration is the final law".
"Hon’ble CM Rio knowing well the situation and ignoring the aspirations of his own citizens, resolved through the Political Affairs Committee under his chairmanship, to demand the appointment of a new interlocutor at the level of Minister for fresh talks.
This was rejected by Hon’ble Home Minister in Sept 2025 in view of the concluded talks on 31st Oct 2019, and directed the CM’s delegate to convince Shri Th. Muivah. Hon’ble CM Rio has pushed Shri Th. Muivah into a tight corner instead of rescuing."
The Congress leader, who is also a die-hard critic of the BJP claimed the Government of India, waiting for the nod of Shri Th. Muivah to implement the Agreements for Nagaland after signing the FWA, “is uncalled for”.
"He is a Manipur State subject. It is the prerogative of the state and the Union Government of India. Shri Th. Muivah's involvement in the Nagaland State issues would now (after the peace Agreements) infringe on the fundamental rights of the people of Nagaland," Therie waxed eloquence -- almost echoing the line of his former mentor S C Jamir.
Therie's another mild googly is ---
".... Therefore, the stalemate is between the Govt of India and the Nagaland State government. And not between GoI and NSCN(IM) and NNPGs, since they continue to stand by the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position".
There is need to understand Therie's remarks 'between the words' and in special reference to the above para minutely.
He is creating a ground under which Neiphiu Rio's "non performance" vis-a-vis the peace process will tarnish the Chief Minister's credibility further.
It remains to be seen how Rio counters the latest move by Therie which almost threatens to put the entire blame of not getting the Solution so far at Rio's door steps.
The Team Rio and the 'sycophants' who tried to hype a new regional game in the form of 'merger' came a cropper the very next day Rio took charge as the new president of the NPF.
Muivah's statement at Somdal on Oct 22, 2025 made it absolutely clear that the NSCN-IM was trying to bask in 'reflected glories' coming essentially from two sources -- one, a section of 'urban Naxals' in Delhi and hubs like Kolkata and select belts in central India and the other being the power centre at Kohima.
More importantly; Rio's role as the Finance Minister in his own government has since then come under the scanner of Babudom in Delhi.
Further details awaited.
Therie also says:
"In view of the above Agreements, although we remain brothers and sisters, it is right for all of us to assert our rights to our respective State and Nation.
We have heard the commitment of Hon’ble CM N. Rio and his government to pave the way for an honourable and acceptable solution. We have also heard and the promise for an early solution for two decades".
Rio's old compatriot of many years in the run up to the 2003 elections; also points out --- "Agreements are signed because they are honourable and acceptable. They are now historical documents."
In what is seen as a veiled attack on the NSCN-IM leadership for a tactical change of stance after 2019; Therie is point blank:
"People do not append their signature in disagreement. Therefore, it is appropriate that the Nagaland Assembly passes a resolution to cooperate with the Government of India in the implementation of the negotiated Agreements."
All 59 MLAs and Ministers - barring CM Rio (that may be including or excluding Zhaleo Rio) will have to "sit together" once .... before things are too late.
Meanwhile, Rio has to ask his 'Mani Shankar Aiyar' to opt for sports outside Nagaland. Power brokers as an MP will be a bigger catastrophe.
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