A STIFF-NECK INTERVIEW ... Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed keen for development of Tripura and North East region in general, so said Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, when I interviewed him for Doordarshan Kendra, Agartala. The interview was planned by DDK Agartala on the occasion of Independence Day. On this occasions every year the interview with CM follows a particular format. The interviewer is not required to ask tricky questions, but to ensure that the Chief Minister speaks his mind out on Independence Day....so the questions were more or less blunt and salt-less and stiff neck...It was very official. The interview, I believe, was a substitute for CMs speech on the occasion of IDay. I just mention one or two points here that my friends may find interesting. On his recent meeting with Narendra Modi, the CPM politburo member and CM of only Marxist led govt of the country was candid enough : The PM seemed well aware of the fact that North East was a deprived region in the past and he sounded ready for a corrective course. He appeared aware also of the fact that without developing Tripura and NE region in general, the Look East Policy of the country, which is virtually a non-starter, would ultimately come a cropper. The emphasis on strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh in this direction also did not get lost with him. He is keen on that too. So said Manik Sarkar. The talks between the CM and the PM dwelt mostly on infrastructure developments of the region and of the state. The PM was positive. The PM assured all sincere initiatives to meet the demands, said Sarkar, nevertheless, immediately giving a rider. We have to wait and watch to believe how far Prime Minister could keep his words and how far he could remain positive. During the interview, however, I personally felt the Marxist Chief Minister anticipated BJPs growing influence in the state might effect the so far bi-polar political system here. He several times mentioned the need of maintaining states traditional communal (religious) harmony and referred once or twice to the RSS influence on the BJP. The feel of the apprehension could not be missed. When asked whether successful Tripura Model of counter-militancy problem would be applicable in combating the Maoists, the CM was specific : Tripura or North east militancy problem was different than that of Maoist insurgency. Militancy problems here were based on misplaced demand, with extraneous instigation, for separation of the respective states from Indian Union, while Maoist problem is based largely on their own ideological interpretation- wholly wrong may be the interpretation and path of the struggle- of the socio-politico-economic conditions of the country. As such, the Maoist insurgency, he felt, needs area specific strategy with broad based development agenda in place. Some components of Tripura Model, specially the development and improvement of infrastructure can, however, be incorporated and then effectively applied to reduce the Maoist menace, he maintained. It was a long one hour interview, and I believe the DD Agartala had to shorten it to only 30 minutes before telecast. Not sure how much were retained and how much were clipped to suit the time frame. I could not personally watch it this morning at 8.30 am...
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 05:24:07 +0000
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