NDPP-BJP tie up is a landmark decision, says Chingwang
New Delhi
NDPP chief Chingwang Konyak on Saturday described the announcement of the fresh alliance between NDPP and the BJP as a "landmark decision" of 2022 which would strengthen federal structures and also play a vital role in resolving the Naga political issue.
 |
| NDPP chief Chingwang Konyak |
"This is a landmark decision. The most significant part of it is the timing. It will strengthen the federal structure of the Indian constitution and open a totally new chapter in ties between a regional partner and one of its long lasting alliances the BJP," Chingwang told this journalist over phone.
Answering questions, he said the focus in the governance between NDPP and BJP has always been the welfare of Naga people and resolution of the political problem.
"By this new agreement and statement issued on July 26 we have renewed our pledge to work more sincerely and with more dedication for the people. The Government of India and the BJP central leadership want to deliver both on good governance and on the political solution. On this, we are just a facilitator. Time and again, our government and all 60 MLAs have pledged to work for peace and solution and we will continue to do that," he said.
To another question, the NDPP president said, "Many people do not understand the importance of alliance. In the process of nation building and especially in the context of the uniqueness of the Naga issue we need such an alliance between a strong and committed regional party and a strong nationalist party like BJP".
"The leadership you see in Delhi is unlike what you all saw in the past. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji is providing visionary governance. Everyone is part of Team India. This only gets strengthened when BJP and NDPP will work as a team," he said.
Asked about some 'unhappiness' in the Nagaland BJP, he said, "All these are part of the political process.
But in the end what is politics ? We have to go by the larger interest of the society. In 2022, the best political decision is the announcement of this alliance. It is a forward looking move....Slowly everyone will appreciate it".
Asked what is expected of the peace talks and is the Solution coming about soon, he said, "Our party and the Nagaland government headed by Chief Minister Rio are all for it. But it should be inclusive and long lasting. On July 16 a very effective statement was issued on behalf of the parliamentary committee.
They also underlined the importance of the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015. we are not in a position to go into details but everyone is trying to work for an early solution".
 |
| NPF symbol : Cock |
ends
Apprehensive that the NDPP-BJP alliance will ensure the return of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to power and this could jeopardise the peace talks, the umbrella organisation Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) issued a strong statement on Friday.
 |
| Ball is in PM's court |
In a rather unexpected turn of events, the umbrella organisation of seven Naga rebel groups, the pro-solution NNPG on Friday made a blistering attack on NDPP and BJP for announcing a fresh electoral alliance.
 |
| NNPG convener Kitovi |
The group headed by flamboyant N. Kitovi Zhimomi, a former close associate of late NSCN leader S.S. Khaplang, in a strongly worded statement lashed out at the ruling dispensation in the state as they fear that the fresh tie up between the saffron party and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s NDPP could further delay or even derail the final peace agreement.
“The Nalin Kohli-Abu Metha declaration is a slap on Nagas,” the working committee said in a statement.
The NNPG was formulated in 2016-17 with the personal interest of the then Nagaland Governor RN Ravi, who was apparently asked by authorities in Delhi to work out a peace formula with Naga rebels operating within the state of Nagaland.
The NSCN-IM essentially has a stronger presence in Naga hill areas of Manipur.
The two leaders had issued a statement on July 26 announcing 40:20 seat share between NDPP and BJP.
Initially for the last two days, there was resentment among the BJP leaders too over the statement and even the party’s floor leader and deputy chief minister Y. Patton had questioned the same saying he was not consulted.
However, on July 28, Patton accepted the party bosses’ diktats and said in a series of tweets that such an alliance will bring in stability.
The NNPG in their statement described BJP leader in-charge Nagaland, Nalin Kohli, as a “typical Indian loudmouth doing his job is a different matter”.
Abu Metha is a trusted lieutenant of Chief Minister Rio and is regarded in Nagaland as a virtual power before the throne. He is also the Secretary General of NDPP.
“If Metha is a Naga by blood, as a General Secretary of the ruling party (NDPP), why did he not take the resolutions of sixty legislators to New Delhi and demand the Govt of India to respect the expressed will and desire of the legislators,” the NNPG statement said.
The NNPG is pro-solution group and has inked Agreed Position in November 2017 and is ostensibly waiting patiently for the final peace pact.
The announcement of the alliance has given the general impression that the final agreement would be deferred yet again and political players would be again involved in electoral games and the good old business of credit seeking and blame giving.
The NNPG said – “Meet BJP Nagaland in-charge (Kohli) who conveniently signed a 40-20 election strategy, pouring cold water on the resolution of sixty legislators of Nagaland. Abu Metha waited all these years to stab the Naga people in the heart with Indian election strategy.”
“He (Metha) has failed to measure the overwhelming desire and demand of Naga people for a political solution. He has taken his jack-of-all-trades, cheap showboating antics and mannerisms a bit too far. Is he playing with fire? He will have to ask himself,” the umbrella organisation sought to caution.
This statement from the NNPG has probably given a new twist to the complex Naga issue and various facets of the negotiations and the peace parleys.
On July 28, Thursday, after Patton issued a press statement and posted tweets in favour of the alliance, it was seen as a major ‘win’ at the battle of wits for the Chief Minister Rio. But this fresh statement from NNPG shows that there is probably more to the complexities of the Naga peace talks.
On July 26, in an unprecedented move Home Minister Amit Shah met Rio and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (also NEDA convener) and allowed a public statement on continuing the alliance.
An analyst told IANS: “Amit Shah may have different and complex plans to agree to this alliance. He may give rope to Neiphiu Rio to deliver something”.
Is it linked to the stalled Naga peace talks and to bring NSCN-IM back to the negotiating table is anybody’s guess.
Rio was earlier urged by the central government to bring in NSCN-IM and its leader Thuingaleng Muivah on board for signing of a peace pact. The NSCN-IM has over the months since October 2019 stalled the peace process by raking up the bogies of Naga flag and a separate constitution.
The NNPG, however, which had good rapport with former negotiator and Governor R.N. Ravi, had said time and again that a solution pact ought to be inked at the earliest to herald peace.
 |
| Modi with Naga veteran S C Jamir |
Other issues could be discussed or taken up in democratic spirit and through a suitable democratic process.
“We want a win-win peace pact and solution for both the Nagas and the Government of India,” NNPG leader Kitovi had told a group of Naga youths and intellectuals last year.
There are a few other facets in the entire NDPP-BJP row.
Nagaland BJP leaders and ministers in the Rio cabinet owe allegiance to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and did not delay in welcoming the alliance. Most of them also fear defeat in their respective assembly segments in the event of contesting without any alliance with the cash-rich and resourceful partner.
“The alliance will prove strong and undisputed with blessings of central leadership & Shri. Neiphiu Rio as the Chief Minister for another term,” tweeted Minister Paiwang Konyak, BJP legislator from Tizit.
Technically, Amit Shah, though a very powerful leader as the Union Home Minister, is not authorized to finalise such a political deal in the absence of a meeting of the Parliamentary Board. Even organisational general secretary B.L. Santhosh and BJP national president J.P. Nadda were not present on the occasion when Shah gave his nod for the alliance.
One source says: “For states like Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland, often government’s decisions and analyses take precedence. The party will not do anything which may harm the bigger national cause.” All these could imply reference to Naga peace talks.
Rio might have some influence on the NSCN-IM strongman Muivah, it is being presumed.
Importantly, Patton and two other Naga BJP leaders met B L Santhosh in Delhi on July 24 (Sunday) and impressed upon him not to allow the alliance. There is a Tsunami of support for the BJP and the saffron party can come to power on its own, they had argued.
The NNPG statement also cautioned that the peace talk was decidedly a “people’s negotiation” which is why those who put “personal ambition before Naga people’s political aspiration” will have to understand the gravity of their actions.
(Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also author of books, ‘The Talking Guns: North East India’ and ‘Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth’. Views are personal)
IANS
NDPP-BJP alliance - a blessing in disguise for NPF: Azo
New Delhi/Dimapur
"Mark my words...this BJP-NDPP alliance is a blessing in disguise for NPF, " senior leader of the regional outfit, K Azo Nienu, asserted on Thursday when asked to comment on the announcement of the alliance between the Lotus party and its regional partner.
"Actually there is nothing new about this alliance between BJP and NDPP there is nothing great about it.....you see the media reaction many leaders in both these parties will be unhappy. So NPF is the answer now," Azo told this journalist over phone.
He maintained that the absence of cohesiveness between key leaders in both BJP and NDPP will frustrate voters and intending candidates. "In the absence of good chemistry people will look for a viable alternative and they will come to us".
Answering a question, he said - "I will not disclose our strategy but we have started traveling and the feedback is very encouraging. In the long run, the Naga voters admire politics of regional sentiment and principles. Such things are missing elsewhere in other parties".
Azo, who replaced former Chief Minister T R Zeliang as legislature party leader after the defection of 21 MLAs, said "Just wait for the real drama to unfold. As elections would come nearer, there will be more chaos and confusion in other camps and all these will help my party".
To another question he said - "I have already been to Tuensang and Mon districts and people have very good opinion about NPF though we were let down by our MLAs. Rural Nagaland voters never appreciate or approve defection and so some people are to face the anguish of the voters".
He said the NPF will prove the prophets of doom wrong and re-emerge much stronger.
"The strong anti incumbency mood against some ministers and MLAs will damage electoral prospects of many and so as the polls will draw nearer, we in NPF are going to have the last laugh".
He also said NPF revival journey will begin from far flung, unreachable and under developed areas.
Ends
No comments:
Post a Comment