Barely 50 year old child in Naga Politics entered to into race with the eighty year old strong man of Naga Politics-
When SC Jamir comes to the foray, it would be a straight question for the Nagas. Wither Jamir or Rio. The defeat of NPF candidate would have been a warning bell for Rio to face the music anytime. Perhaps, Jamir in the Assembly would have ousted the DAN government at any point of time, the pity scene would have been Rio and his second lieutenant TR Zeliang walking out of the Assembly wiping their foreheads.
Nothing can down size SC Jamir.
Was it political mistake of SC Jamir to contest an Assembly by election? One of the high ranking official of the Indian National Congress, as a Congress working committee member, former Governor of a big state of Maharashtra, it was too mean for the state unit of the party to field SC Jamir in a by poll, sending a strong signal to the ruling side. SC Jamir, so far a fear complex to many in the state politics, was pitted in a contest ‘in a do or die attempt’ to revive the state Congress. Or else should be the failure of the state unit to find a charismatic figure to combat Rio in the past eight years.
Now the question is - who in Congress wants SC Jamir back? As an eye wash all the state leaders may talk with due respect and regard. His return would have deposed all the present front ranking leaders of the party of their hopes for leading the government of the state. It would have been holidaying for stalwarts especially KL Chishi and I Imkong. Fear that SC Jamir would have made a cosy ladder for his pet son to be his successor. The storm in the tea cup has not subsided. A section of the Congress will have to silently admit that, at the least a stable government is in place and the number game does not give any scope for a turn around.
The veteran Congress leader once he steps into the assembly, will sent shock waves across the Naga society. PV Narasimha Rao was bold enough to take a U turn in the Congress dynamics in the Naga Movement, while taking a stern step to enter into a dialogue process and rolling back the partisan attitudes in the state and silence all the big guns. It required a change in the guard of the state. SC Jamir was given the governorship and kept him out of the state politics. Yet his frequent visits to the state was a headache to both Congress and ruling NPF. Yet the last game in the state legislature and the Presidents Rule turned to be a disaster for the Congress.
Now, there cannot be a change in the equations of the centre with that of the state. Rio, emerged as a the most powerful Chief Minister of the region. The story on corruptions is not a sellable commodity in the state. Law and order situations also do not suffice the agenda of the Congress. It has to look into new avenues to fight out. The baggage is left dry and empty. Whereas for Rio, it is another testing time. Rio cannot be ruled out of Naga Politics. From 1963, no political leader could empower the right of the Nagas as per the Article 371A. He first followed the suit of SC Jamir and made a silent revolution in the state. Rio rightly chooses TR Zeliang to head the Cabinet subcommittee and TR in his interim report recommended for a resolution in adopting Article 371 A. A history was made and the state is empowered to take Policy decisions and central acts can no more be enforced. SC Jamir government had always succumbed to the central acts and deprived the Nagas of their constitutional safeguards. His return would have been disastrous for the Nagas, the entire effort of Rio government in empowering the Naga rights would have been turtled.
Nagaland political situation is different. People have been deprived for years. People need money and development. Every minister and legislature is burdened with the unending demands to meet the needs of commoners- from school admissions, medical care, higher education for children, marriage and the list goes on. This situation cannot change who ever rules the state till a proper economic frame work evolves. Simultaneously development also needed. Such a societal situation circumvents the political system and no one can close the doors and turn their back against the ground reality. Success of Rio is mainly due to the balanced way in which he and his comrades have been managing the public interest without much damage to the state’s development initiatives. Centre also seemingly understands this jeopardy and never stamped it as a corruption. This goes well with the realisation that the state will have trust in the statutory democratic system, only if the immediate needs of the public are met by their leaders. It is a tough management of the government. Can the opposition close their eyes and blame the ruling front. Their campaign of corruption turned out to be a good piece of music to listen to, at the same time, invites hostility of the commoners, especially women and the upcoming youth. Today’s youth had a horrifying childhood in an environment of uncertainties. Rio could effectively give a healing touch, held their hands and made an effort to bring them to the forefront.
SC Jamir, the wonder man, who rose to be the parliamentary secretary to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, despite the fact that he represented one of the least populated states, is never to be forgotten and is a countable force despite the failure. He will certainly write a new equation behind the curtains, hopefully not an open invitation the people to the corruption free ivory towers. Yet he is spell bound to read the message his clansmen have slapped on him - Rio is to stay and they need their rights to be enforced as the law of the land.
When SC Jamir comes to the foray, it would be a straight question for the Nagas. Wither Jamir or Rio. The defeat of NPF candidate would have been a warning bell for Rio to face the music anytime. Perhaps, Jamir in the Assembly would have ousted the DAN government at any point of time, the pity scene would have been Rio and his second lieutenant TR Zeliang walking out of the Assembly wiping their foreheads.
Nothing can down size SC Jamir.
Was it political mistake of SC Jamir to contest an Assembly by election? One of the high ranking official of the Indian National Congress, as a Congress working committee member, former Governor of a big state of Maharashtra, it was too mean for the state unit of the party to field SC Jamir in a by poll, sending a strong signal to the ruling side. SC Jamir, so far a fear complex to many in the state politics, was pitted in a contest ‘in a do or die attempt’ to revive the state Congress. Or else should be the failure of the state unit to find a charismatic figure to combat Rio in the past eight years.
Now the question is - who in Congress wants SC Jamir back? As an eye wash all the state leaders may talk with due respect and regard. His return would have deposed all the present front ranking leaders of the party of their hopes for leading the government of the state. It would have been holidaying for stalwarts especially KL Chishi and I Imkong. Fear that SC Jamir would have made a cosy ladder for his pet son to be his successor. The storm in the tea cup has not subsided. A section of the Congress will have to silently admit that, at the least a stable government is in place and the number game does not give any scope for a turn around.
The veteran Congress leader once he steps into the assembly, will sent shock waves across the Naga society. PV Narasimha Rao was bold enough to take a U turn in the Congress dynamics in the Naga Movement, while taking a stern step to enter into a dialogue process and rolling back the partisan attitudes in the state and silence all the big guns. It required a change in the guard of the state. SC Jamir was given the governorship and kept him out of the state politics. Yet his frequent visits to the state was a headache to both Congress and ruling NPF. Yet the last game in the state legislature and the Presidents Rule turned to be a disaster for the Congress.
Now, there cannot be a change in the equations of the centre with that of the state. Rio, emerged as a the most powerful Chief Minister of the region. The story on corruptions is not a sellable commodity in the state. Law and order situations also do not suffice the agenda of the Congress. It has to look into new avenues to fight out. The baggage is left dry and empty. Whereas for Rio, it is another testing time. Rio cannot be ruled out of Naga Politics. From 1963, no political leader could empower the right of the Nagas as per the Article 371A. He first followed the suit of SC Jamir and made a silent revolution in the state. Rio rightly chooses TR Zeliang to head the Cabinet subcommittee and TR in his interim report recommended for a resolution in adopting Article 371 A. A history was made and the state is empowered to take Policy decisions and central acts can no more be enforced. SC Jamir government had always succumbed to the central acts and deprived the Nagas of their constitutional safeguards. His return would have been disastrous for the Nagas, the entire effort of Rio government in empowering the Naga rights would have been turtled.
Nagaland political situation is different. People have been deprived for years. People need money and development. Every minister and legislature is burdened with the unending demands to meet the needs of commoners- from school admissions, medical care, higher education for children, marriage and the list goes on. This situation cannot change who ever rules the state till a proper economic frame work evolves. Simultaneously development also needed. Such a societal situation circumvents the political system and no one can close the doors and turn their back against the ground reality. Success of Rio is mainly due to the balanced way in which he and his comrades have been managing the public interest without much damage to the state’s development initiatives. Centre also seemingly understands this jeopardy and never stamped it as a corruption. This goes well with the realisation that the state will have trust in the statutory democratic system, only if the immediate needs of the public are met by their leaders. It is a tough management of the government. Can the opposition close their eyes and blame the ruling front. Their campaign of corruption turned out to be a good piece of music to listen to, at the same time, invites hostility of the commoners, especially women and the upcoming youth. Today’s youth had a horrifying childhood in an environment of uncertainties. Rio could effectively give a healing touch, held their hands and made an effort to bring them to the forefront.
SC Jamir, the wonder man, who rose to be the parliamentary secretary to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, despite the fact that he represented one of the least populated states, is never to be forgotten and is a countable force despite the failure. He will certainly write a new equation behind the curtains, hopefully not an open invitation the people to the corruption free ivory towers. Yet he is spell bound to read the message his clansmen have slapped on him - Rio is to stay and they need their rights to be enforced as the law of the land.
