As expected the Naga political issue is once again finding center stage as Nagaland prepares to vote in the upcoming Assembly Election on February 23, 2013. All political parties including the national parties have found it useful to make all kind of assurances “to bring about a solution” to the Naga issue if voted to power. That parties like the BJP and JD (U) have been out of power at the Centre is clearly evident by the way some of their leaders have been making populist postures on the Naga political issue without realizing the intricacies involved. A senior JD (U) leader has joined the illustrious club of those who have made tall claims to settle the Naga issue. Earlier the NPF had stated that it would do so in no time once it came to power. Both the Indian National Congress and the NPF have actually been in power for close to ten years but we know that nothing has happened so far. Now the JD (U) has waded into this discourse by promising that if the BJP led NDA comes to power, the Naga issue will be settled within six months. A local BJP candidate during an election rally has on the other hand said that it will take around two years to settle the Naga issue if the BJP comes back to power at the Centre. Interestingly the Congress, which has been in power at the Centre for almost a decade, has chosen to remain silent. Sonia Gandhi during her election speech at Mokokchung and Dimapur did not elaborate much and only said that the Naga issue will be settled at the earliest.
Perhaps to settle a complex problem like the Naga issue is not as easy as is made out to be especially in the heat and tussle of election campaigning. The NSCN (IM), which is in talks with the Government of India, has also stated that there is no timeframe as far the expected solution goes. It would mean that a settlement of this nature has to go through a lengthy process of negotiation, homework, consultation and perhaps engagement of other players. Unlike some other issues like the Telangana movement currently under review of Delhi, the Naga political movement has both regional and international dimensions to it. States like Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh where Nagas live, they have to be consulted. Then we have the Nagas of Myanmar for which other ways have to be found to address this particular unique dimension. On top of this there is the well entrenched Indian bureaucracy and security establishment, both very much involved in the peace process. A party like the BJP, which was also in power at the Centre when the Naga talk was in progress, should have known better on the intricacies involved.
As far as the State government in Nagaland goes, despite whatever our politicians may say at the time of elections in order to woo voters on this emotive issue, it is well known that irrespective of the party in power, not much can be done by the State government other than to extend support and facilitate the peace process. Both the ruling NPF and Opposition Congress affirmed this support through the Joint Legislative Forum (JLF), although the JLF lost an opportunity to resign en-mass and take the issue to the Government of India. More than making tall claims and promises in their respective manifestos, political parties ought to demonstrate the will, put words into action and if needed make sacrifices for the greater common good. It will be interesting to see how our elected government responds in the post-election scenario. With the prospect of an early political settlement still very much on the cards, one will have to see how all the commitments made in the run up to the election is honored and carried out.
