'Such things are not new in politics'

State BJP President on demand for his removal

 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 2


Following allegations of a rift within Nagaland BJP party after 10 BJP districts presidents recently demanded the removal of the party’s state president, Nagaland state BJP president Temjen Imna Along today said that such type of things are not new in politics and in the party.


“I don’t think they have challenged the seat. They just want to know how strong the seat is,” he said while replying to media persons on the sideline of press conference here today welcoming the Prime Minister’s announcement of free ration to 80 crore people under Padhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.


 “Allegation can be anything. But I leave it to the wisdom of those that have asked to answer by themselves. Not for me to answer,” he said.


On being asked the reason for reported removal of Phek district BJP president, Along said “We do not remove anybody. The words that are being used are wrong,” he added.


Along said the state BJP party had actually re-assigned him to be the state executive member in the state. Stating that re-assigning him (Phek district BJP president) is his prerogative as the state president, he said that reassigning the latter is never dictatorship or autocratic.


Pointing out that BJP party is a high command party, he said “We have our approvals in the right way to reassign anyone and when I reassign him to the state executive member I have the approval from my higher ups to do so.”


Meanwhile, Along said that BJP will come back stronger than ever before.


“Our organization will penetrate deep into the whole state and work hard for our people no matter what the controversies are,” he added.


  
On delimitation
Along on Thursday appealed every Naga not to have tribalistic views but to be magnanimous on issue of delimitation of Assembly Constituencies in the State.


Preserving the unity of the 14 tribes of Nagaland should be the priority, said Along while addressing media persons at BJP State Headquarters here today.


 “A view  that is most shared is that solution to the Naga political issue is of most eminent need and division of the 14 tribes is not healthy at any point and juncture before the impending solution is arrived at,” he said.


The long cherished dream of every citizen of the state to see the culmination of the discussions of the Framework Agreement is of the greatest priority, even for the BJP party in Nagaland, he said.


Urging that such issues (delimitation) should not be a factor to divide Naga people, he said every Naga are brothers. “If tribalistic colours are brought about in any issue, we may have to retrospect our views and heart for tomorrow’s Nagaland,” the BJP president said.


On being asked how delimitation will divide the Nagas, he said “I am not saying delimitation will or will not divide the Nagas,” adding that with the signing of the Framework agreement on August 3, 2015 and talks said to have successfully concluded in October 2019 with final inking remaining, the impending solution is of great and utmost importance.


“Division or not is to the wisdom of the leaders who lead the various tribes. BJP party cannot comment on that and it is not for the BJP Party to comment,” Along said.


 On Governor’s letter to Chief Minister


On being asked on Governor’s letter to Chief Minister, Along said that the state cabinet has already met Governor R N Ravi on June 19 last and shared their thoughts with him and also shared about how the state is performing better.


“It is too volatile a subject matter for me to answer right now without the permission of chief minister and deputy chief minister,” he said.


Regarding the Governor’s accusations in his letter to Chief Minister, Along said “He has to look from the perspective of the situation that is prevailing with us for the past many years. And we have to make him understand this is how Nagaland is and that is why he is there as Governor and interlocutor to give us solution.”