This is a typical example of the politician–journalist relationship.
Once, a journalist went to meet a neta at his residence. On getting the aroma of something being cooked in the kitchen, the journalist asked: “Sir, is it a special day? There is something nice being cooked in your kitchen.”
The neta responded: “Not that I know.”
The journalist then said: “Then it must be in your neighbour’s kitchen.”
The politician replied: “Let’s focus on our work. If something is being cooked in my neighbour’s kitchen, it is not my business. And if it is in my own kitchen, it is not your business.”
Now, coming to the fast-approaching 2028 Assembly elections in Nagaland, is there a “problem brewing” between the NPF and the BJP?
The phrase “problem brewing” is used consciously. It usually suggests that things may be starting to go off track.
The NPF lost power in 2018 after the BJP, or rather a senior leader, Ram Madhav, backed the NDPP, effectively sidelining India’s second-oldest regional party. In effect, the political alignment at that time reshaped the equation between Ram Madhav and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
In 2023, Rio’s Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma played a key role in consolidating a deal in favour of the NDPP. By circumstance or otherwise, the BJP contested 20 seats and won 12, repeating its 2018 performance.
The NDPP’s numbers increased, but in effect, the party also ended up accommodating several political alignments. The financial and political cost of managing alliances was significant, and many non-NDPP and non-BJP legislators were drawn into post-poll understandings of varying terms.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is now also the president of the NPF and remains a key figure in the state’s political landscape. After the West Bengal elections, he gave a television interview in which he spoke about the possibility of NPF–BJP alignment ahead of 2028.
Normally, Rio is considered a cautious political communicator, and he tends to avoid direct comments on sensitive alliance matters. However, in a recent interview with a Guwahati-based channel, he made observations that have drawn attention.
Following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress candidate Supongmeren Jamir won the seat in Nagaland. Rio’s comments on this outcome were also notable.
He said:
“NPF is a BJP alliance partner in Manipur; NPF is also now an alliance partner of the BJP in Nagaland… yes definitely (I have emotional attachment with NPF).”
On questions regarding a pre-poll alliance in 2028, he said:
“When the time comes, those talks will start. But as far as the party is concerned, we will continue to be in alliance with BJP.”
“It will be a pre-poll alliance. It can be seat-sharing or it can be a friendly contest.”
The mention of a “friendly contest” is significant. In 2023, some BJP leaders had shown interest in such an arrangement, but neither the party leadership nor Rio agreed at the time. Subsequently, a few leaders left the BJP, including Dr A. Sukhato (Pughoboto) and Kevechutso Doulo (Chizami), reportedly over political dissatisfaction.
Rio’s comments on the 2024 Lok Sabha result involving Congress candidate Supongmeren Jamir also raised questions.
He said:
“We did not give any statement earlier on how it happened. That period of the Meitei–Kuki conflict… very serious it happened. There were ethnic clashes…”
He further added:
“But how in the valley all the churches were destroyed and burned?”
Church burnings have been alleged in the context of violence in Manipur, though the exact circumstances remain contested.
Rio also referred to Assam and developments in neighbouring states. He said:
“These have frightened the churches and Christians, and there were atrocities also in other parts of the country. So, the results of 2024 in Nagaland might have surprised everybody, including ourselves. As you mentioned, there was not even one Congress MLA. They had no proper party organisation… they had no polling agent also.”
However, it is important to note that allegations of widespread atrocities against Christians elsewhere in India remain politically sensitive and are not uniformly established in official records. Moreover, no NDA leader has publicly framed the 2024 electoral outcome in Nagaland in these terms.
Has the cat crawled out of the bag?
The developments and statements have led to speculation in political circles about evolving alliance equations ahead of 2028. Whether this reflects a real shift or routine political signalling remains to be seen.
(Edited version of a column by Nirendra Dev)
(The views expressed are those of the writer and not of the newspaper)
