My health is intact and I am ready to lead the government if party asked to do so”. This is a few words coming out from one of the most low profile and the veteran regionalist which shaken and rattled many to the extent of some fleeing to Kaziranga forest in Assam. One wonder how farther these people will escape if he have ever said I am a contender to the post of Chief Minister.
The roar of this Konyak strongman send waves across the state pushing the man into the race for Chief Minister disturbing the mind of unstable young leaders of the party. To start with his political career, Noke joined the regional party of Nagaland (UDF) and contested to the 3th General Election to the Nagaland legislative Assembly in the year 1974 from 43 Tapi constituency under Mon district and won 7th times including to the present House. During his four decades of his political career, he served in various capacities holding many important portfolios. Despite many ups and downs of the regional party in Nagaland, Noke remain steadfast, never forsaken and wavered from regional party and loyal with heart dedication to uphold his principle and ideology. I am sure he might have been lured by other parties to sway him away from regional party but in all times he flatly rejected it. He stood firm to support Vizol as Chief Minister of Nagaland, supported Jasokie to make him as Chief Minister and hold hands to make Vamuzo as Chief Minister. Indeed it was Noke who proposed Rio as Chief Minister of Nagaland in 2003.This is the reason why he said in one of the recent press interview that “It is payback time to ENPO” by other tribes . And this is a man who did not said payback to me but to ENPO. But sadly, ENPO were not ready and do not understand the trick behind all scene. The apex body of Eastern areas viz.. ENPO and ENSF remains unusually silent which I find it mysteriously too.
It is learnt from media that Rio desired to hand over his seat to eastern people implying ENLU members. Perhaps, Rio initially feared the numerical ENLU holds with 19 MLAs in the government and may be a deciding factor who would lead the government after he left. Moreover, NOKE being the senior most in DAN III is unavoidable. But I do not know if I am right when I say Rio played very trick double politics. In one side, by slip of his tongue Rio says he desired next CM from ENLU whereas, he groomed and gave enough time for TR Zeliang to prepare the ground work to deal with any situations and circumstances. Or did Rio hit hard to break the ENLU and push NOKE forward just to save himself after knowing well the game is over!!.In spite of his probability and capability to be a leader Noke never said he wanted to be a Chief Minister or enter the fray as a contender. He maintained that party will decide and he prefers for consensus within the party and not a contest after all party unity and strength is his top most priority. Infact, I for one never thought that leader would be elected in the presence of wild animals in Kaziranga park but by the NPF legislators supported by party loyalists. As seasoned politician who witnessed many crisis and tumult, I believed Noke never wanted defection and split happening ,subsequently fall of government particularly when NPF is elected by thumping majority by the common masses.
The most difficult task for eastern MLAs is to be united. Today these 19 MLAs could not joined hands for common cause than sorry to say it is impossible to bring the thousands population together. Rather it is embarrassing to talk about Frontier Nagaland whereas to me I am afraid it may take 100 years not to get statehood but for UNITY henceforth. As a reasoned individual, it is hard to digest about the fact that these ENLU members agreed, adopted and signed the resolution to remain united as far as CM issue is concern not once but twice to the best of my knowledge. Believe it or not some ENLU members were already mid way to Kaziranga before they reaffirm the resolution for the second time!.As one of the undisputed senior leader, Noke received encouragement and support from various tribes except from some of the most trusted eastern leaders. Some tend to justify betrayal by saying Noke entered at the last stage as a contender but are we late even today? Has next CM already elected? What are the promises made to them that they are already committed 10 days ahead? I am given to understand that Noke is least interested to be CM but most importantly, what he wanted being the chairman of ENLU is to stay united and to support enbloc whoever became CM. Or what is harm to make him become the first Chief Minister of state from eastern areas after more than 50 years of statehood? Even if he is not personally interested, ENLU should have pressurized him to take over and take a golden chance and with strong support behind his back he would have never shy away from the responsibility. Or ENLU can nominate anyone capable within ENLU or outside. Indeed, Noke must have visualised this situation through his 4 decades political experiences or may not have been convinced by reluctant support shown by few ENLU members. No doubt ENLU members will remain elected leaders and continue to enjoy powers but the number 19 will always remain to mean DISUNITY in the minds of the eastern and eastern Nagas stands exposed thereon.
Since the situation and circumstances made him the contender particularly by the media against TR Zeliang for the Chief Minister (which he never said he is contesting), Noke have to come out and used ‘withdraw’ just to stop the whole debate and dirty politics taking place. By his decision, Noke showed his maturity and acted elderly for peaceful settlement of boiling issue. This indicates his love and sacrifice for the party he holds close to his heart. The wise decision he has taken not only settled the crisis but bring tears to many regionalist who knows who he is. Ultimately, for Noke the only thing in his mind is the survival of the party to lead on the government as mandated by the Nagas. To him, nothing is greater than the cock symbol flying high all over Nagaland particularly in the lands of Vizol, Jasokie and Vamuzo. To Noke it may just be another political experience but to us the dream of the eastern nagas becoming the Chief Minister remains not only even a night dream but day dream.
W. Wangsa
Mon Village
Mon : Nagaland
