The present political scenario of the state where former Chief Minister and present Lok Sabha MP Shri Neiphiu Rio has been placed under suspension by his own party (NPF) is an unfortunate event. Though the NPF party may have their own reasons to suspend one of their tallest leaders, yet in the larger scheme of things at national level, we are responsible for pulling down each other to the extent of shamelessly portraying our crab mentality in front of the mainlanders.
NESA as purely welfare organization without any political affiliations has no business in the functioning of the NPF party or for that matter any other political party, but we cannot remain mute spectators when our people and leaders can never look beyond our narrow domestic politics and keep blaming Delhi for all our problems. Our Hon’ble MP Neiphiu Rio has his own share of shortcomings during his 11 year stint as Chief Minister, but has been one of the most versatile and inclusive politician despite compulsions of state politics.The Ex Servicemen community of the state is forever indebted to him for being our biggest benefactor till date by sanctioning Rs. 1 crore to the State Ex Servicemen welfare fund in 2006 and the centre reciprocating his generosity by releasing an equal matching grant of Rs. 1 crore through Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB). With a corpus of over Rs. 2 crore, the annual interest of over Rs. 16 Lakhs generated is being used for the welfare of the Ex Servicemen, widows and their dependents through Rajya Sainik Board (RSB) Nagaland.
Being the son of an Ex Servicemen (his late father Guolhoulie Rio served with Assam Regiment), we are always proud that he stood head and shoulders above his contemporaries and became of one of the known political figure from North East region at national level. Suspending him at a time of his probability of getting ministerial berth in Modi government at the centre are doing rounds; the NPF party is depriving the Nagas of an opportunity to have a union minister with considerable influence. Being an Ex Chief Minister and renowned regional political figure, there can be no other political candidate with better credentials than Neiphiu Rio at this juncture.
An appeal is therefore placed before the leadership of the NPF to come to an understanding and let better sense prevail in the overall interest of the Nagas. We all have loyalties towards some political party based on their ideology and principles but the situation calls for an occasion to rise above political differences and give chance to the deserving. Whether BJP or Congress is in power, our voices are too faint to be heard in far away Delhi unless we voice out in unison through an assertive leader with proven credentials.
(Col S Rengma)
Chairman
Naga Ex Servicemen Association (NESA)
