Dimapur, January 8 (MExN): The ruling Naga Peoples Front (NPF) has made it clear once again that there is no such question to resign before solution comes and has hit back at the Opposition Congress party in Nagaland pointing out to what it described as the contradictory stand and approach of the Congress and arguing that there was confusion within the Congress thereby exposing the “insincerity of the Congress” and that “people ate the best judge”.
A press note from the NPF Press & Media Bureau was received here today giving a time line of the activities and resolution of the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) where all the 60 legislators and 2 MPs of Nagaland have come together “in order to represent the voice of the Naga people for an early settlement of the Indo-Naga political problem”. The NPF has mentioned about how the JLF members had gone to Delhi two times and met the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, the UPA Chairperson, the Opposition Leader, etc.
According to the NPF press note, the “JLF made one point very clear to the Central leaders that solution should come before elections in Nagaland which is due in February/ March 2013” and that “till the end of 2012, the Government of India did not respond to the genuine request of the people’s representatives”.
The NPF stated that the JLF had made their position very clear that in the event of a political settlement arrived at, they will not stand on the way but pave the way for the new arrangement any day. The JLF in its meeting on 19th July, 2012 made this point clear in resolution number three, the NPF states while adding that “this is a commitment to give way if a new arrangement comes about but the logical conclusion is yet to come”.
Further the ruling NPF pointed out that the Congress legislators in their meeting dated 10th November, 2012 had unanimously resolved to tender resignation from MLA seats but ended their resolution with the words, “...provided other Members are ready to resign...”. “What they meant by other members meant DAN legislators”.
Subsequently the Congress had written to the Chief Minister with copies to the NPF President and the Honorable Speaker demanding reply on or before 20th November, 2012. The Chief Minister replied to them on 20th November, 2012, in which he has explained the position of the NPF and appealed to them to continue to work together to strengthen the stand of the JLF in its endeavour to realise an honorable and acceptable political solution.
“For the NPF, we are very clear about the meaning of the JLF resolution which is cited above... Therefore, there is no such question to resign before solution comes”, the NPF note stated.
It was also pointed out that when the Speaker convened a meeting of the JLF on 10th December, 2012 at Chumukedima, the Congress Members came out with their resolution that they would resign from their membership of the Assembly before solution.
“The NPF did not object to the proposal but added that if a decision could be taken that day to request the Speaker to convene a one day special session of the assembly and pass resolution not to participate in any election till solution comes after consulting with the tribal organisations, the hohos, the church organisations, civil societies and NGOs”, the NPF stated.
To this the Congress stated that it was unable to support adoption of any resolution without consultation with their party’s high command and requested for some more time. Therefore, the Speaker fixed the next meeting again on 13th December, 2012. Again the Congress stated that they would not come to the meeting but demanded a meeting of the JLF with all political parties in Nagaland.
According to the NPF the Speaker convened a meeting of the JLF with all political parties to be held on 8th January, 2013. In the notice dated the 4th January, 2013, he made it clear that “all parties should bring authorisation and endorsement letters in written from their respective high commands for national parties and state parties authorising the party representatives attending the meeting to take any decision that may be taken on the issue of participation or non-participation of the parties in the next general election to the State Assembly in the event of the Election Commission of India announcing the election programme before solution of the Naga political issue.
The next morning it appeared in the local media that “Congress to attend JLF meeting only if DAN Legislators agree to resign”, another headline said, “sitting Congress MLAs assured of tickets for coming polls”, and another news item had stated that the Congress was mentally prepared for elections. “Such contradictory stand and approach of the Congress explains the confused state of affairs within the Congress and also exposes the insincerity of the Congress. The people are the best judge”, stated the NPF.
