Says to allow NSCN (IM) and NNPGs to work on ‘One Solution’
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 16 (MExN): The Naga Rising (TNR) has called for deferring the elections and allow the NSCN (IM) and NNPGs to work on one solution.
“The only thing that is seen as an impediment to solution-first is the negotiating parties, including the Government of India, are not able to come to a meeting point,” a press release from TNR said.
It noted that the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) have declared “unconditional commitment” to collaborate for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the Government of India.
The declaration of January 14 between the NNPGs and the NSCN (IM) representatives under the initiative of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) stated: “…unconditional commitment to collaborate on the basis of our respective agreements, with immediate effect, for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the Government of India.”
TNR appealed for deferment of elections in Nagaland so that some time is given to the two negotiating groups to work towards finalizing the much-needed ‘One Solution’, as desired by both the Naga public and the Government of India.
“The popular theory is that elections is a constitutional obligation and cannot be deferred. Following the recent visit to Nagaland, the Election Commission of India has also affirmed this position. However, to our understanding, the holding of regular elections can be stopped by means of a constitutional amendment in consultation with the Election Commission,” it observed.
TNR noted that interruptions of regular elections are acceptable in extraordinary circumstances. In the run up to the last Assembly Elections in 2018, there were suggestions made to the Centre before the announcement of poll dates that the Nagaland elections be deferred by six months, it said. “A specific timeframe, where all stakeholders come on board, was proposed. However, the Modi government decided not to set any deadline for signing the final accord with Naga groups, it was reported in the media,” TNR said.
The present political dispensation in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi can take the political initiative to defer conduct of Assembly Elections to a later date in consultation with the Election Commission of India, it advised.
