Chingwang Konyak addressing 5th General Convention of NDPP in Kohima on February 27.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 27
Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) president Chingwang Konyak today said that the top most concern and desire of the people of Nagaland is that the leaders of the various National Workers groups lose no further time for the settlement of the political issue with India.
“As long as the political stalemate continues, there can be no peace in Nagaland. The paramount task, therefore, the people of Nagaland is to find a permanent solution to this problem,” the NDPP president said in his presidential address at the 5th General Convention of NDPP at Capital Cultural hall, Kohima.
Konyak reiterated the appeal to the leaders of the National workers to come together and with one voice and settle the Naga political issue with the Government of India without further delay.
He highlighted that the creation of Nagaland state on December 1, 1963, was a clear indication of Government of India's desire to solve the Naga political problem and to usher in peace and prosperity to Nagaland. “Thus, the Naga people were given the power, responsibility and opportunity to govern their own affairs,” he said.
Konyak opined that in the history of the Nagas, for the first time a responsible and popular Government was formed by the Nagaland Nationalist Organization (NNO) in January, 1964. Since then, the Government of Nagaland has set itself to the task of running a responsible Government with determination to solve the Naga political problem and to bring peace and development to Nagaland. ‘Right from the NNO party and its government time, all the political parties in Nagaland and the successive Governments worked for the integration of the contiguous Naga areas,’ he remarked.
Konyak informed that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly passed Resolution five times for the integration of contiguous Naga areas with the state of Nagaland. “But the integration issue has become difficult to implement because of various historical events, and has become a distance dream,” he said.
Stating that NDPP has remained unwavering in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive development, he said, “We do not engage in politics of division, we stand for unity, progress and the empowerment of our people.” NDPP have significantly expanded its regional presence, ensuring that the NDPP remains a truly people driven party, he added.
Today, 168401 Primary Members and 83591 Active Members have been enrolled so far, he reported.
NDPP Secretary General, Abu Metha said that NDPP was formed as response to the cry of the people for a change and an alternative in Nagaland, under an environment on political instability, social unrest and governance challenges. It was formed on May 17, 2017 at Chümoukedima. Metha added that today the NDPP has 16 regions, more than 2,50,000 members and has emerged as not only the dominant regional party in Nagaland but a party respected in the region and acknowledged at the centre.
