Pursuing solution, but preparing for any eventuality

Rio inaugurates NDPP Dimapur Region office

Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 26

Amidst the burst of activity among political parties in Nagaland, as the election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly looms large, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on maintained that the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) would pursue for a solution to the Naga political issue, ‘till the last minute.’

Speaking at the inaugural programme for the NDPP Dimapur Region office in Duncan Basti on August 26, CM Rio stated that while Nagaland has benefited under the BJP leadership and government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “We are longing for solution to the protracted Naga political issue. And we will continue to pursue till the last minute.”

Affirming the party’s commitment to resolving the long drawn political conflict, Rio said that if a solution that is honourable, acceptable, and inclusive comes, the elected members would pave the way, as announced in the party manifesto. By inclusive, it means Nagas have to be united, he added.

“We cannot fragment the settlement because we are one Naga, one issue and one settlement. There will be no separate settlement for Nagaland state, Manipur state, Arunachal state, or Assam state,” Rio asserted, while adding that there may be many groups at present, “but the day the competencies are agreed from both sides, they will all come together and sign; and that settlement will be for all the Nagas.”

However, if solution does not come, as a political party, “we have to be prepared to face election because the Election Commission has a mandate and it is an obligation for us to face election whenever election is announced,” Rio went on to state.

Along these lines, NDPP President Chingwang Konyak who also addressed the gathering noted that without elections, there would be a ‘constitutional breakdown.’

Bolstering his argument, Konyak also said that the EC is an autonomous body which would not listen to the Government of India or the state government, while taking the example of the futile calls to boycott state Assembly elections in 1998.

He said that at present, various political parties without members in the Assembly are blaming the Chief Minister for delaying the solution; adding, “But we all know why it is delayed.” 

Reiterating the stance that elected members would pave the way when a solution arrives, he justified the formation of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) by saying that for it to happen, ‘elected members have to be united just as we are asking NPGs to unite.’

Stating that, ‘we cannot go away from India whether we like it or not,’ the NDPP President called on the party workers and leaders to ignore propaganda, and instead, focus on strengthening the party, the government, and the state.

On reorganization of party
During the programme which also included induction of office bearers of the Dimapur II A/C office bearers, the Chief Minister expressed happiness that the old party leaders and the new team have worked a formula of ‘no differences’ and accommodating one another. “This unity will give us the strength and I am sure when the election comes, we will be much stronger,” Rio said.

Rio said that Dimapur area and town is an important constituency and in the last elections, the party was ‘handicapped’ as it did not have party representatives. However, with MLAs Moatoshi Longkumer and Azheto Zhimomi joining the fold, the party has been strengthened.

Congratulating the new team, he assured that the central office bearers led by the party president and as leader of the legislative party, would give all support to Dimapur region so that they are strengthened and come out successfully.

Rio also took the opportunity to dispel ‘confusion’ that he said, is being created intentionally because another election is coming. He said that while much propaganda, gossip and narratives would do the rounds, it was time for the party to have workshops at various level, so that, ‘we can take it to the constituencies to explain to the common voters what the actual situation is.’

Echoing the party President’s speech, Rio also said that some political parties have been blindly critiquing without any evidence, even to the level of making personal critiques. “I feel it is not worth replying also. Why should we stoop so low at their level? We have no time to reply to those things,” he added.

Instead, he called on the Dimapur region and the party in general, “to be strong and firm in our aims, in our policy, and our manifesto, what we have committed and what we are going to commit in the service of our people.”

‘Our alliance is firm’

With the emphasis on strengthening the party, in the event that an election is announced, Rio stated that the 21 MLAs from NPF who joined the Party recently, have brought with them many party leaders and supporters.

While welcoming them as ‘former colleagues,’ Rio also acknowledged the NPF party. “I have nothing against them and till now they have goodwill for me and for our party. And even now, I appreciate the NPF also because they are still cooperating, particularly in the Naga political issue, and we still run an opposition-less government,” he added.

He also stated that it was under his leadership, that the NPF was the first party to have alliance with the BJP in 2003, which carried on even in 2008 and 2013. And while there were ‘some disturbances’ in the NPF, he joined the NDPP just a few months before the elections in 2018.

“BJP trusted us, called us and wanted to have alliance and seat sharing, and we won the election in that short period,” he stated while maintaining that till today, “we have run a stable government and we are taking up development activities forward.” 

The Chief Minister informed that the NDPP central office bearers and senior party leaders were having meetings with the BJP National General Secretary BL Santosh on Thursday, and the BJP leader had tweeted that the NDPP-BJP alliance is firm and strong.

He went on to explain about 40:20 seat sharing formula was already decided on September 6, 2021 in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President JP Nadda, NEDA Convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma, BL Santosh, BJP National Spokesperson and in-charge of Nagaland state, Nalin S Kohli, BJPLP leader Y Patton, BJP State President Temjen Imna Along as well as NDPP members; and how it eventually led to the announcement in July.

In this connection, Rio informed the party workers that for Dimapur region, three seats would be for the NDPP and the other two would be for the BJP.

Further, the Chief Minister alluded to the give-and-take nature of the alliance, and said the NDPP’s slogan of ‘Change is Coming’ in last election is becoming a reality. “Yes, definitely we are a backward state, we are landlocked, we have no resources, so there is lots to do but we are moving forward with the support of central government grants,” he said.

Reciprocally, he also mentioned the commitments given to the BJP such as the uncontested Rajya Sabha seat, and 100 percent vote in favour of the NDA Presidential candidate.

He said the President would be visiting the state in the second week of next month (September) in appreciation, and to give thanks to the state.

In conclusion, Rio maintained that the NDPP, as a committed political party, has its aims and vision fixed on the welfare of the people and the future of the younger generation, and look on the leadership of the dynamic and experienced party president.

“When the time comes for solution, we will pave the way, sacrifice our position,” but as of now, in the democratic process, time will come again for election and we should be prepared for that eventuality, he added. 

Earlier in the programme, NDPP Dimapur Region President Vishoshe Awomi delivered the welcome address; short speeches were delivered by Dimapur II A/C President Limawati Imchen and MLA Moatoshi Longkumer; and vote of thanks by General Secretary, Youth Organization, Dimapur Region Gracely Chishi.