Asserting that even if an alternative arrangement emerged out of the Naga peace talks, it would be done in the form of a constitutional amendment, which would be placed before the Parliament for thorough debate and discussions, the Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zelaing on Friday said speculating “who will be what” in a possible interim government at this juncture would be premature.
Responding to the remarks made by Pohwang Konyak, MLA, during the debate on the budget on the third day of the ongoing budget session Friday, Zeliang informed that coming together of 60 legislators was with a purpose “for an early solution” to the Naga political problem and not as a result of duress or any form of compulsion.
The chief minister appealed to the people not to be influenced by any kinds of wrong speculation without proof or evidence. He said with continuous support to the ongoing dialogue, sooner or later results would be seen in black and white.
Maintaining that the state was currently in a critical juncture of the political struggle with dialogue on between Government of India and NSCN (I-M), Zeliang said though state government did not have a direct role it would continue to be a felicitator to the talks and the final agreement that may follow.
On the March 9, 2016 meeting with various political groups at Chumukedima, he said state government had no intention to undermine the efforts of any groups but only desired that the broad-based consultation process would encompass all the political groups. The chief minister appealed to all the people of Nagaland to join hearts and minds and remove all differences in a spirit of forgive and forget. He said Nagas have been working for a solution to the Nagal political issue for so many years and it would be unfair to waste “this wonderful opportunity” after it has reached the doorstep.
Commenting on the speculations about the outcome of the ongoing talks, the chief minister said “it could be something that can be risky as well as dangerous” and warned not to put the cart before the horse.
The chief minister also advised the members of the house against making forecasts without knowing the real inside story. He said speculations could be endless and unproductive and did not help in anyway.
However, Zeliang said one thing was for sure that the state was looking forward to a peaceful and lasting solution that would encompass all the Naga political groups, an agreement that was honourable and acceptable to all.
Reiterating that any settlement or solution should be inclusive, the chief minister said they were pressing the interlocutor for Naga peace talks to consult all the Naga political groups before modalities were finalized.