Dimapur, November 8 (MExN): Chandrashekhar Rao, BJP’s General Secretary (Org) of North East States, while reiterating the BJP stand on the Naga peace process, said that political negotiation will not bring any lasting solutions without being accompanied by socio-economic development solution. This was said at an interaction with the media alongside Medom Angami Vice President, Johnny G. Rengma Vice President, R. Sopu Angami Vice President and SRO, K. James Vizo, Spokesman and General Secretary and Jaangsillung Gonmei, Convenor Media Cell during his visit to the State on November 8, 2012.
For that, he suggested that the Centre and State should also initiate socio-economic negotiations alongside political negotiation. Rao lashed out at the UPA II and NPF Government for being ‘non-serious’ in finding solutions to the Naga problem. “In the last 10 years of UPA government, there has been no sight or signs of any solution. Rather there is a lack of transparency on the talks so much so that no one knows to what level the Naga negotiation talks had reached, the points of differences or agreements and other aspects of the matter,” quoted a press release from BJP’s media cell.
Rao asked, “when the Naga peace process is already progressing, why was there the need for the formation of JLF-Joint Legislators forum composing of two opposite parties?”
Under Vajpayee’s leadership, the NDA government had recognized the ‘uniqueness of the Naga political history’, said the press release, initiated ceasefire and brought the NSCN (IM) to the negotiation table. The BJP has offered its ‘full cooperation to the Naga negotiation understanding that the political solution will be the only path to a wider socio economic developmental solution’.
Stressing again that the BJP is for the integrated development of Nagaland, Rao cited instances of eastern Nagaland’s deprivation and the deplorable state of Border Roads. ‘A thorough analysis of the socio economic status of the state should be initiated and brought forward for negotiating with the centre for compact Integral developmental plans. As of now, among the many problems facing the state, unemployment, Industrialization, Health and Education sector, roads, forestry etc needs adequate attention of the centre,’ the press release quoted Rao as having said at the press meeting.
Rao appealed to ‘efficient Naga leaders to join hands with the BJP to work for the peace and development of the Nagas. The prolonged period of political disturbances and corrupt state governments of the past has deprived the state of much of its developmental opportunities’. He stated that the BJP will contest the next election on the plank of peace and development.
