PG Banerjee
Senior Citizen, Dimapur
One evening in the year 1963 in Mission Compound at Kohima A. Kevichusa and his few friends were discussing among themselves about 60 point of Agreement and about ‘Transitioned period of three years on interim Body headed by Shila Ao. After this development they were thinking how to keep unity among the Nagas and to preserve Naga Identity, Culture, Naga Customary Law and Political programme of the Nagas. At last they decided to form a political party which will be Regional in nature in the interest of the people of Nagaland.
Thus a Regional Party was formed October 21, 1963 under the Chairmanship of A Kevichusa at Kohima with a big group of Naga Leaders from all parts of Nagaland. The name of the new party was decided ‘Democratic Party’. That was the first regional party in Northeast India and Second in India.
The aims and objective of forming this new party:
a) Party was to act as facilitation or bridge between the two contending parties Govt. of India and NNC.
b) To shift political power to democratically elected people from the power of Bureaucrats.
c) To preserve Naga Identity, Culture, Naga Customary Law etc.
d) Parties intention was to set up a pattern of administration best suited to all Naga tribes.
e) And lasting good relationship with the Govt. of India for permanent and honourable solution of Indo-Naga problem through re-consolution.
This ‘Democratic Party’ was registered with election commission of India on December 2nd, 1963.
We have seen many ups and down of this party. Most of the regional minded people are not happy to have two regional parties in this small state of Nagaland. The aims and objectives of these two regional parties are almost same. When these two regional parties can participates in this oppositionless Government, then what is the use of having two separate regional political identities? Are we not dividing regional minded Nagas into two identities, when our principle, policies and programme are almost same? Recently, we came to know these two regional parties are trying to unite for the future of the people of Nagaland. This is a good step. We the regional minded people welcome this move. The people of Nagaland want strong, effective and only one regional party in Nagaland. So we request constitutionally deciding members of the two regional parties to form one strong and effective regional party in Nagaland for Naga identity and for the future of all the Naga Tribes. We should remember the first regional party ‘Democratic Party’ was formed in Nagaland with the vision of Naga Unity, peace and progress in the year 1963.
