ultimately, 'frustration' prevailed and your patience might have lost and you are out of BJP but why NNP .... what difference it can make when the leadership is essentially a man from Meghalaya ?

James Vizo : In politics there is no place for Frustration. You are there.... it is certainly one way traffic. You go and fight and you struggle. The issues close to your heart is more important than anything else. We politicians do not retire...ideally you journalists should not retire and you all should not get frustrated or anything like that. My stint in BJP was pretty long..... more than 20 years or so.... Time to move on ... that's what I told my children (laughs).

But why NPP is my question? Are you trying to skirt that question ?

James Vizo: No. Not at all. There are merits in my joining NPP with some of my esteemed friends and colleagues. You may be laughing at us.... But do not forget when I joined BJP .... it was nowhere in Nagaland. People were laughing at us and even they looked at us with all sorts of questions in mind. They even said why are you going with a pro-Hindutva party... But we worked hard. In 2003, BJP won seven seats.... the Congress under S C Jamir lost power. It all looks like inevitable today, but nothing came without our sincerity.

You mean, the NPP will also do some kind of miracles. But my point was basically on the 'high command' culture of Congress and BJP. The BJP leaders in Nagaland like you got nothing or rather could not do much probably due to New Delhi's hidden and often 'open' hands. The same problem may come with you when you have to rush to Shillong for taking orders. ?

James Vizo : Do not be little political maturity of a leader like Conrad Sangma. He could be a Meghalaya-based leader. But he has vision for entire north east. You media people should try to interact with him more. In fact, my understanding is it is the NPP which will protect and project the interest of north eastern native people more sincerely. The NPP has made a mark in Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. P A Sangma was a much respected and credible leader and it all goes in our favour.

Coming to Nagaland and Naga political issue there is a feeling the NDPP-BJP has lost the golden opportunity in the last seven years since 2018. How much do you think the BJP is also responsible for this delay and occasional derail talks process ?

James Vizo : I was too small fry to pass any judgement on the failures and success of the BJP. Moreover, the Naga political issue is essentially a Govt of India fiefdom, how much we talk at the state level... ultimately things can be decided only by Naga underground and the central government. I was nowhere in the picture all these years. But yes, as a Naga I can tell you - everyone wants a Solution. People are fed up of the status quo which means political uncertainty and that harms our developmental journey. From student days, I was fascinated by developmental aspects. We in Nagaland and north east have miles to go.

I am impressed by the manner you are talking about Development. Most Naga politicians avoid debate on development and every time people meet, they raise formation of NNC, Simon Commission and Plebiscite..... at the same time the society is not really pushing for Solution.?

James Vizo : You have the right to have your opinion. I cannot question that. It is for the people of India and also Naga people to see what kind of road-map we have drawn for ourselves. Education, Development and Economic viability are must in today's world. India is an emerging super power. But someone should handle north east more effectively. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I found the sincerity.... but the killer instinct is something we may need more and that should come at the earliest.

So, how should things move.... your party president Mr Nyamnei Konyak is a MLA and all 59 MLAs support the present leadership. Without a sincere opposition, can you get that Killer instinct at the state level ...if I may ask ?

James Vizo : You see, the best profession in today's world is journalism. You can ask toughest question and be polite. Now you are doing that.... many senior people will be cornered when you grill a young man like me. But I admire your enthusiasm for Nagaland matters. Some questions are best answered by silence. I may do so today ... and I have done that even yesterday. Yes. future is important and tomorrow you may get some of the key answers in more concrete form. One thing is clear, the Naga people want to get Solution to the political issue and get on to the developmental journey ..... We as Netas and so-called karyakartas on ground must continue the struggle. I remember the role played by BJP leader Anant Narayan Mishra during our infancy days in Nagaland...the hard work always pays.

Email:-----------------------nirendelhi@gmail.com