Naga CM Rio appears to have projected an assurance/understanding with Centre as a constituted committee :: A case of Willful Defaulter or someone under immense pressure

 In a rare gesture, the Congress party - which unusually has been adopting kid-gloves approach towards NPF-BJP dispensation, has now come out seeking to expose the biggest falsehood of the government in Nagaland. 

In a letter with the subject - "Request for clarity on the new Committee for Naga Peace Talks", the AICC minority cell leader and a pro-active Congress leader in Nagaland, Rajesh Sethi has questioned the very claims made by chief minister Neiphiu Rio.  

In his unique style Rajesh Sethi threw a few questions for the chief minister 

"Who are the Chairman and members of the Committee? 

* When was it constituted, and what is the official notification/order number and date? 

Rajesh Sethi

* What are its mandate and Terms of Reference? 

* What role will the Nagaland Government and Political Affairs Committee play? 

* Has the Committee already interacted with any Naga Political Groups? If so, when and with whom? * What is the proposed roadmap towards a final political settlement?  

The 'open letter' also mentions --- 

"There is also a matter of genuine public curiosity. Before 2014, the State was broadly dealing with 3–4 major Naga political/underground groups. 

Today, there is a widespread perception that the number has increased to 30 plus as stated earlier by our Dy CM and Home Minister of Nagaland. 

So people deserve to know what concrete steps is the Government taking to reduce this fragmentation and ensure that ordinary people can live in peace, free from fear and extortion?" 

All these could put state unit president Supongmeren Jamir in an umconfortable position because ever since his win in Lok Sabha election, the lawmaker has taken "more pro chief minister and pro state government" stance than even previous NDPP MPs such as Tokheho Yepthomi. 

Nevertheless, the Congress party's new stance as stated by Rajesh Sethi vis-a-vis the onward journey of Naga peace parleys deserve criticial appreciation. 

Rajesh Sethi, who is also in-charge Manipur vis-a-vis Minority affairs, has said:  

"These questions are raised in the spirit of genuine concern and with the sincere hope that the peace process reaches a successful and lasting conclusion. 

As a Congress leader, I will always support every genuine effort towards an honourable, inclusive and lasting Naga political settlement. 

I hope the Government will kindly provide clarity to the people of Nagaland. Nagaland has waited long enough. The people deserve hope, clarity and a peaceful future." 

Analysing things in simpler context, one can appreciate that the chief minister Neiphiu Rio has been under pressure to make the statement that a committee has been formed. Let's say to err is human.

But he seems to have depended on 'oral discussions' - where things are not in writing or any open/transparent notification. Is the Hebron syndrome catching up with Rio too ?

I keep stating Donald Trump has a favourite Field Marshal; with this blogger - I have a 'favourite chief minister'. The comparisons are old.  

But certain things make us raise some not so palatable questions. Why the chief minister had to say a panel been constituted? 

In fact, it is like the claims often made by the Hebron camp that New Delhi has assured this or New Delhi has assured that; or we told them these ad those. 

If something is not in writing; it is simple - it has not come yet ! 

Still, we may give benefit of doubts to chief minister Rio. 

To put it very mildly,  one can say there are wheels to grind. There is always 'pressure' to do something. Or to put it otherwise; the chief minister has to justify the utmost trust shown to him by Home Minister Amit Shah. 

The refrain from Seva Teerth (Centre) is --  it is chief minister Rio and his NPF-BJP Govt which has to convince Thuingaleg Muivah and others in the Hebron camp and bring them out for a Solution pact. 

Some analysts in Delhi broadly suggest - 

Honourable CM appears to have projected an assurance/understanding with Centre as a constituted committee. 

While the intention may have been to demonstrate progress in the peace process, the announcement created the perception of a political move rather than a fully established mechanism.

This means Rio has a big challenge to prove that he is "not a mere stooge" of the Govt of India. 

Ends