Joint declaration issue: State BJP attracts flak of CCNTHCO, pol parties

State BJP unit has drawn the ire of the civil society organizations (CSOs) under the banner of Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) and its political rival NPCC for taking a u-turn after signing the January 29 declaration to boycott polls, while the National People’s Party (NPP) has sought clarification from the CCNTHCO on this issue.
In a press note CCNTHCO slammed the BJP party for creating chaos in the state after the party distanced itself from the declaration, by suspending its member, who was the signatory of the joint declaration, saying the party had not authorised anyone to sign or to say anything without its directives.
In this regard, CCNTHCO convenor, Theja Therieh and co-convenor, David Sangtam demanded that the BJP clarify its position on the ‘joint declaration.
CCNTHCO said BJP cannot speak with forked tongue when even after signing the joint declaration, it put in place a most insidious game plan to scuttle the cry of ‘solution before election’, by suspending its member for signing the historic declaration when he was authorised by none other than the State BJP president to sign on behalf of the party.
“This treacherous act will not go unchallenged,” the committee asserted.
CCNTHCO said that the body, representing all the apex tribal hohos and mass based organisations would like to question whether the State BJP was committed to finding solution to the seven decades old Naga political issue? It is apparent that the BJP is playing a dirty game to grab political power at the expense of Naga aspirations as amply exemplified by their slogan ‘election for solution’, it added.
The committee also questioned whether the state BJP members were Nagas first and whether their allegiance was to their high command than finding solution to Naga problem.
CCNTHCO demanded that the State BJP revoke the suspension order of the state executive member (SEM) and affirm their commitment to their declaration made on January 29.
Unless the state BJP accedes to this demand, CCNTHCO said, as per its 29th Resolution,it will take necessary steps and any aggravation of the peaceful situation in the state shall be solely borne by the State BJP. It further reminded all MLAs that since the Assembly had passed a resolution on December 15, 2017 for ‘solution before election’, it was time now for them to resign from the NLA, adding “the need of the hour is to move beyond mere lip service.” Such an act of collective sacrifice will definitely send a strong message to the Government of India that Nagas desire solution at the earliest, the committee said.
NPCC: Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has demanded BJP and NPF to clarify their stand on the issue of poll boycott announced by political parties, civil society groups, NSCN (I-M) and NNPGs Working Group under the banner of CCNTHCO on Monday.
A statement issued by NPCC’s media cell on Tuesday accused the two parties of playing a “treacherous game” by putting the State under a spell of political uncertainty, which could implode and tear Naga society asunder. It said the people of Nagaland were observing how both NPF and BJP were trying to sail in two boats by pretending to support the wishes of the people, while openly planning for seat sharing and fight the election together.
The party said if BJP-NPF were really serious about finding a solution to the Naga issue, they should have worked with full sincerity “other than paying lip service all through the years”. NPCC said sending party representatives to attend the meeting called by civil society groups, while indulging in open election campaigns and declaration of candidature had made a mockery of the entire exercise. Going by the statements made by BJP leaders and actions of NPF leaders, it was evident that they were determined to go ahead with the election without bothering about the voices of the people, the release said.
According to NPCC, capturing power in Nagaland would be an achievement for BJP to showcase its acceptability by Christian majority voters of Nagaland on the global stage. Their mission was aided by “some of our people” for the love of power and money without realising that they were “compromising the very foundation of our beliefs and way of life”, the party said. NPCC assured the people of Nagaland that Congress would never allow BJP and its regional partner NPF to override the interest and aspirations of Naga people.
NPP: On the other hand, National People’s Party (NPP), citing reports of suspension of State BJP leaders by party high command for being signatories to the joint declaration resolution, asked CCNTHCO to clarify its position by February 2 if some parties continue with the electioneering process.
A statement issued NPP’s IPR secretary, said that the party feared repetition of the 1998 political crisis, when some organisations boycotted the election and Congress formed the government. NPP categorically said that it was ready to withhold the election process and filing of nominations if only a consensus was formed for deferring the polls.
While asserting that it stood committed to the Monday’s joint declaration, NPP asserted that, if CCNTHCO failed to clarify the position of BJP on the issue before February 2, it would have no other option but to go ahead with the election process.
According to NPP, the suspension of two BJP executive members indicated that the BJP did not honour the call of the people, which was tantamount to withdrawal from the agreement reached at the joint meeting in Kohima on Monday.
The statement further added that NPP state president Ato Yepthomi had categorically stated at the meeting that representatives of national political parties like BJP or Congress could not sign the agreement, if they were not authorised by the respective party high commands. Yet, BJP signed and their representatives had been suspended, it pointed out.
The party said the suspension had brought great confusion whether BJP truly stood for the solution.