Naga CM Rio's 40: 20 tie up with BJP is not a Facilitator role, says KL Chishi
Source: Nirendra Dev *

New Delhi/Dimapur, August 08 2022: Former Nagaland Chief Minister and senior Congress leader K L Chishi wants the Neiphiu Rio regime to resign.

He directed his tirade against veteran SC Jamir as well and said - "The disciple Rio is only following his former Guru, Jamir" .

Chishi is likely to fight it out in Atoizu in Zunheboto district as a Congress candidate in coming February polls.

Chishi on Sunday also backed the essential concepts of 'honourable and acceptable solution' to bring an end to the decades old Naga issue.

He flayed former CM and ex-Governor of Gujarat and Maharashtra, S C Jamir, for 1998 maneuvering and said Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is today toeing the line of his Guru.

"The disciple is following his former Guru.

Mr Rio is doing exactly what Jamir did in 1998," he said recalling the decision of BJP, NPC and NDM to stay away from polls in 1998 .

But Jamir and Congress leadership then went after power, he said.

Rio was in the Jamir cabinet after the polls but "people like us sacrificed.

I was in NDM, as was Hokishe Sema and also present NDPP Chief Chingwang Konyak" .

Senior regional leaders Vamuzo and Shurhozelie were in the NPC and N C Zeliang was in the BJP.

"I favour the buzz created for an early Solution.

The Naga voice can no longer remain silent.

I have always favoured citizens taking keen interest in important matters of Naga life.

Otherwise for long, people had developed a habit of cursing political leaders for everything wrong and seldom doing anything themselves," Chishi told this scribe over phone.

Answering questions, he said, "The Naga issue can be resolved or a mutually acceptable and honourable solution worked out only when a settlement is arrived at with the recognition of Naga flag and constitution" .

"Maybe.....when a solution takes place according to the Plebiscite of 1951 it will be acceptable.

But any settlement bereft of Flag and Constitution will only remain an ad hoc arrangement like the 16 Point MoU 1960 or the Shillong Accord 1975.They were quasi arrangements hence temporary," he said.

Mr Chishi's remarks came two days after the August 5 Rally at Dimapur wherein the Naga People's Action Committee (NPAC) and public leaders from various communities and GB Federation tried to ramp up pressure on the Government of India and all other stakeholders and Naga militant groups to ink a final peace pact.

The NPAC and other organisers of the rally have accused the incumbent Neiphiu Rio government and the NDPP-BJP-NPF coalition regime of 'betraying' the cause by ditching solutions in favour of elections.

"Unresolved Naga issue has produced countless scoundrels and thieves and in the name of political issues, threats and intimidation have stifled the growth of the Naga society," the NPAC stated in their letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chishi also maintained the Naga underground group NSCN-IM raising issues of Flag and Constitution is not "asking for these two elements" .

They have these, but they want the Govt of India to "recognize the same" .

To a question, he said, " In 1997-98 at the instance of Naga Hoho, NMA Including other civil societies without exception of Churches raised slogan ' we want solutions not Election ' whereby BJP- NPC-NDM abstained from State elections but Indian national Congress led by S C Jamir opted for election" .

"Mind you, the Naga issue was stalled....but the Congress had won 59 seats except one independent Mr Mhavil Kheiya of Southern Angami 1 constituency.

The refusal of Congress under the leadership of SC JAMIR to pave the way to promote a solution shattered the prospect for a lasting peace once for all.

Indeed, Congress ran opposition less government similar to that of today.

But what did Nagas gain?", he stated.

Making a veiled attack on the incumbent NDPP-led opposition less Government, Chishi said, "Objectively speaking the word Facilitator and serving as Ministers and Chief Minister under Constitution of India are anti thesis to each other.

It's all futile and a gimmick" .

"My point is as a FACILITATOR , can Neiphiu Rio sacrifice his government enbloc ? That would be a crucial test.

Where is the Sincerity of purpose?," the former Chief Minister emphasised.

"Is 40-20 NDPP-BJP seat sharing formula work of a good Facilitator ? Qua vadis ( whither thou goest/where you are going)" - the senior leader added.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at nirendev1(AT)gmail(DOT)com .

Comment