‘BJP would require high command directive’
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 20
It was the Naga People’s Front (NPF) tossing the ball to the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and now, the latter has tossed it to the BJP. The NDPP, while welcoming the opposition NPF’s proposal of an “opposition-less government” in Nagaland in the interest of the Naga political issue, maintained that its partner in the ruling PDA collation has to be consulted as well.
The NDPP issued a press statement informing of its stand, while adding that it had received a letter from the NPF addressed to the Chief Minister informing of the July 19 declaration.
On July 20, it said that senior NDPP functionaries and legislators led by the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio convened an “emergency meeting” at the party headquarters in Dimapur “to discuss and deliberate over the latest political developments in the State.”
It contained 4 resolutions, which the statement said, was unanimously adopted by the party, one of which read, “The house welcomes the resolution of the NPF Legislature Party calling for unity amongst the members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.”
The ‘welcome’ response however came with a caveat that the NDPP, as part of a coalition government, was required to first consult its alliance partner- BJP, “before taking the matter forward.” It also declared commitment to its pre-poll partners,
While stating that the party was committed to continue working towards bringing a final settlement to the Naga issue, the NDPP called for unity among all Nagas and appealed “to all negotiating parties and the Government of India to bring about an early solution to the protracted Naga issue that is inclusive, honourable and acceptable to the people.”
Meanwhile, there was no word from the BJP camp. NDPP sources maintained that it was still to meet the State BJP leadership to discuss the NPF proposal. An NDPP party leader averred that the BJP, as a “high command” party” would first have to consult its Central leadership in Delhi before making a move.
As per the NPF, party legislators, led by Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang, met in Dimapur on July 19 to propose the idea of a government without party divide. A copy of the July 19 declaration, released to the media, stated, “The NPF Legislature Party unanimously endorses the concept of an Opposition-less Government with PDA in the larger interest of the Naga People,” while adding that the Leader of Opposition was authorised to work out “necessary formalities” with the Chief Minister.
It said that the legislators discussed “at length over the Naga Political Issue so as to actively facilitate between the Government of India and the Naga negotiating groups to bring about an inclusive, honourable and acceptable solution.
In this regard, the NPF Legislature Party will continue to wholeheartedly support and contribute to the newly formed Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue in order to pursue for early resolution and settlement of the protracted issue.”
