Tensions often can rise when an emerging power builtt up with good will challenges the dominance of an established power.
Politics more often moves faster than they appear to be.
You could be in the middle of January and suddenly the December month of celebration and merry making may be around. Arrogance and ineffective politics -- solely banking on 20 years old formula - that Money can ensure NPF win --- may in the ultimate herald a big crisis for the regional outfit.
Who is to be blamed ?
Between party president Neiphiu Rio and its 'talkative' secretary general Achumbemo Kikon -- they should be ready to share the blame. The drama unfolded by over confidence and arrogance of another lot of Naga leaders - the Hebron camp.
(Statesmanship also means humility: Veteran S C Jamir and his wife : hosting 'Delhi guests' in their kitchen - file snap )
Two eminent personalities vice chairman V S Atem and R H Raising questioned the political, social and moral authority of veteran S C Jamir to raise concerns about pending Naga peace talks.
Rio contributed his lot by maintaining 'silence' -- as if such utterances against his one-time mentor did not bother him.
The day Atem and Raising spoke against Jamir -- at the same venue - Neiphiu Rio displayed an 'ineffective' style of politics. He said "my party has reacted" (to Jamir's meeting with the RSS chief).
The NPF statement only had tried to find hole with S C Jamir's one of the last political masterstrokes - the meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on September 10th. The next came the 'genius' (self-styled moral lecture of the ill-informed secretary general). Kikon's remarks left the 95-year-old Jamir hurt.
Like the hosts of analysts (other than those in the pay roll of Kohima dada) - S C Jamir raised very legitimate questions - did 'masters' in Hebron, Kohima or (and) Manipur guide Kikon.
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| Blogger - A die-hard critic of Jamir in 1990s |
Only a man who is hurt would say -- "Do not be a Minister of Silence or an advisor of false propaganda". It was like asking the Naga legislators to gaze in their own heart.
The statement was a mixture of bewilderment and deep hurt.
I know S C Jamir as a ruthless political operative. From the distance we saw him - we knew he has been hardly emotional when it came to taking toughest stance - dropping some ministers or toppling his political detractors.
But on this occasion - he thought -- for the sake of his supporters and admirers across India --- including those in media who have slammed him all along --- he should ventilate the fact that he has been "hurt".
In fact, in August or July - during his visit to Delhi - Jamir told me - "Dev, age is catching up with me. I don't know when I will come next. You must eat something". It meant a lot. Jamir was born two years before my late dad.
This was an emotional outburst of a leader who has often received negative commentaries from me. But it showed a personal affection.
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On the other hand; the worst of all statements by NPF leader - has been that Jamir is "an old man in hurry". Kikon came prepared to use the phrase because he referred to Sitaram Kesri and H D Deve Gowda in his speech. It was not something like slip of a tongue.
Many central government officials and retired personalities including from Indian army told me -- any self respecting Naga would not say such a thing even for an enemy or even a military man. But amid all that ... hours and days passed - but the NPF chief Rio went onto a radio silence.
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| BJP flag in Southern Angami region - 2023 polls |
Now the public debate has shifted to a statement made by Nagaland BJP president. All along the office bearers and even elected BJP MLAs were very particular about not to displease only Rio but even 'the Manishankar Aiyar'.
Arrogance is inherent in such characters who draw strength by backdoor entry to the corridors of power.
Hence state BJP chief's statement is a bit surprising. Is it also a damage control exercise by the Team Rio ? In Delhi, rumour mill had it that the state chief minister was consulted before appointing a new president.
Or we have a different situation in 2026 wherein the state BJP unit has been directed by high command to issue such a statement ?
For BJP and the RSS -- S C Jamir cannot be found fault with for meeting Shri Mohan Bhagwat. If this theory is correct; chances of seat adjustment for 2028 assembly polls will grow slim.
Earlier, politically potential Dr A Sukhato was almost forced to withdraw from the race of BJP presidentship. In the election season - two good 'BJP seats' Pughoboto and Chizami were also snatched away.
Rio was having all the fun with the BJP's growth graph stalled. The Lotus party has been so much accommodating only to see that the Naga Solution comes at the earliest and smoothly.
Will the BJP continue to give indulgence to NDPP-turned-NPF ? If they do so for 2028 -- we may conclude ... even the Lotus party does not want Solution.
Ting Tong.
By now - it is more than clear - as long as the Northern Angami-II representative is the chief minister - the Solution may be kept at bay.
In Delhi, -- people also bet over the legitimacy of the phrases --
"Hebron-friendly-Kohima" or the
"Kohima-friendly-Hebron".
In Manipur, Nagas and officials talk more about the Eastern Flank.
Peace and Solution to a complex issue like that of Nagas cannot come via some grandstanding or even Bolero-rides.
Peace can be built by credible men and women and through effective institutions and cooperation. The utterances against Jamir by two underground leaders and worsening the situation by one NPF office bearer shows the spirit of give and talk and cooperation is absolutely missing.
One retired military analyst says - "Some forces want to further dominate and subjugate the Nagas of Nagaland. The over confidence of these years since 1997 resulted in hurling insulting words to Padma Bhusan S C Jamir.
The real ball is in people's court".
ends
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