The BJP needs to have a "better plan" for north east India. When we say this, our observation is about deeper and quality penetration.
Just lately, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has gone to the US and other countries in the west. His message has gone down well and has a special significance.
Reportedly; for 'greater outreach' towards minorities; he is set to meet some Christian leaders in India this month. In general sense, the initiatives ought to be appreciated.
The larger message has been that human existence carries a responsibility that goes beyond immediate gratification. However, when it comes to northeastern states and its polity; the BJP is keeping itself confined to 'immediate gratification' only.
Naga CM Rio and MoS Alphons
The fact of the matter is most 'experiments' of the BJP in the north east hardly made a headway. Sometime - they try Christian faces.
Lip-service is so much that today officials in the Home and Defence ministries believe - the Solution to the Naga problem may not come so soon,
If that's an achievement; the BJP can explain how. K J Alphons as Minister of State visited the region frequently. But nothing much happened in terms of saffron party's penetration. In fact, the visits by ministers even in remote corners such as Kiphire in Nagaland or Lunglei in Mizoram are happening still now.
But what is called "winning" the heart of tribals and non-tribals, Christians - Catholics and Baptists - Hills and Valleys to be called a "outreach of a national party" is not happening. Even making a Naga BJP leader as in-charge of Meghalaya did not help much.
First of all, over the decades the Congress party never worked for "sincere" emotional integration between natives and the so called national mainstream. The BJP in the last 12 years has not been much different despite clear instructions from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to change the rules of the game of engagements and interaction.
The coordinators and in-charges appointed at the regional level and in various states have no knowledge of North East.
They do not understand the psyche of the people and even after they go there; the sincerity of purpose is lacking. Other priorities take over. In Assam; some RSS karyakartas have remained focus on Muslim-Bangladeshi angle.
There is need for a good Hindutva-linked projects and long term vision vis-a-vis Cachar valley including Silchar, Hojai-Diphu-Lumding region and also some parts of Upper Assam. A good coordination needs to be worked out between BJP, bureaucracy in the state and the RSS coordinators.
Similar initiatives should have come in Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram also.
Nevertheless; the party leaders in the region and in Delhi still think they can continue to support wrong regional parties and win elections for NDA
But this is only superficial.
A few regional parties are no longer comfortable with the BJP. They have started looking for better avenues.
It's a pathetic case of non performance that even after so many years of BJP rule in the centre and in the region; the Lotus party has not been able to develop a core constituency for itself.
The RSS alone cannot be blamed or be asked to "keep North East with the BJP and the country". The saffron party has socio-political responsibilities.
The NEDA is either a decorative piece of defunct.
One is aware that "anti-Hindu image" of Nagas or Mizos and the vice versa anti-Christian image of the RSS (or also BJP) have to disappear fast.
A few years ago, RSS leaders also associated with the VHP encouraged and worked on this qualitative development. In circa 2026, one is clueless.
The BJP's deeper penetration does not mean merely winning election. It is more about respecting each other and promoting mutual tolerance,
By nature, north east states are peculiar. For lip-service - 'tolerance and plurailism' will be appreciated. They may be selectively used to attack RSS or the 'outsiders' - plain manu, Vai Naupoag and Dhwaker (Dkhar).
But among one another ... it has done a vanisshing act long back at least in some pockets. Manipur is a classic example - where Nagas are clashing with Kukis and revived the gory days of the 1990s.
Meiteis and Kukis are not seeing eye to eye since 2023.
Meiteis and Nagas also have clashed in the past. In Mizoram; there used to be problems with Reangs/Brus. In Meghalaya, 'tourists' from Assam had issues. In Tripura; the tribal non-tribal issue may flare up anytime.
Where is the BJP - party with a difference - amid all these?
One diagnosis is bitter --
Both the RSS and the BJP have not encourages sincere people for north east.
"Hum ney Aaj tak ek dhang ka Governor de nahi paye .. We could not give a creditable leader from RSS or BJP as Governor in the north east," lamented one senior leader - almost retired.
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| RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat |
Of course, R N Ravi is of police background. Manipur Governor A K Bhalla is an ex Babu and Mizoram has a military man, Gen V K Singh (Retd).
One need not create a fear psychosis, but there are stakeholders and even "abettors" in the USA, China and some other countries.
Their intent will be to use 'insurgency' and tribal-non tribal differences for their sinister designs. The deep state has played a role in 2023 turmoil of Manipur.
Tribal societies and local stakeholders in the region, in each state, have to examine closely --- what is the net gain.
The national and global scenarios have changed much to the advantage of New Delhi and also Nagpur. On the contrary, the bargaining capacity of armed groups are considerably diminishing.
A stronger Russia-India-China partnership is on cards.
A balance sheet is required to be prepared and the BJP has to look inside.
BJP president Nitin Nabin has to plan his North East team accordingly.
ends
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