In a rejoinder titled “Opposition-less NUG (Nagaland United Government) is meaningless”, ten senior Nagaland BJP workers (Karyakatas) have expressed their views over the move for an all-party government in Nagaland comprising of NDPP, BJP and NFP.
The senior BJP workers: Yanghose Sangtam; Kheto Kinimi (ex-minister); ex-BJP candidates– Dr Sukhato Sumi and Er Cheong Konyak; former State BJP vice-president Mghato Achumi, former State BJP Mahila president Sanu Ngulie, SEMs– Vikheli Zhimomi, Bichano, Mhalo and Asangla Ao, were responding to an earlier statement issued by NPF party president Dr.Shürhozelie Liezietsu. On the all-party government as mentioned by Dr.Shürhozelie Liezietsu, the BJP workers reiterated that state BJP as a national party, “will go by the directive of the party high command.”
The BJP workers also questioned that when the core committee was formed, comprising of all members of political parties- NPF, MPs(2), Independents and equal representation from BJP and NDPP, what was the need for having an opposition-less government?
The BJP workers reiterated that as “senior Karyakartas” of the state BJP, they are of the considered opinion that “the opposition-less government, mooted by certain section of political party, only to grab power, (is) showing its frustration and restlessness.” Therefore, taking the “excuse of final settlement on political issue, is a mere rhetoric and misleading” they said.
Dr.Shürhozelie had also accused BJP of having betrayed NPF on the eve of the 2018 assembly election to have alliance with NDPP and even giving full protection to BJP, when it had no MLA in the legislative assembly.
They recalled that when then National General Secretary BJP, Ram Madhav negotiated seat sharing arrangement with NPF leadership, the BJP was allotted only three out of 60 seats in 2018.
The signatories said BJP had even considered and expressed willingness to continue with the DAN alliance by accepting five seats. However, “the arrogant and overconfident NPF leadership refused our plea,” they said. As a consequence, both parties parted ways when talks collapsed. It was then that NDPP under Neiphiu Rio( the present chief minister) offered BJP with 20 seats and that “ the rest is history” for Nagas to see, they added.
After results of the 2018 assembly election, the signatories said NPF tried to lure and offer renewal of DAN alliance to BJP by leading the government. However, the signatories said, in order to lead the people, certain moral principles must be maintained and to stick to commitment made with their alliance partner (NDPP).
The BJP workers said the present alliance with NDPP “is smooth and comfortable” and that the party stood committed to the coalition to serve the full five-year term in office in service of people. They also asked “why is the NPF so desperate of joining the ruling government ?” and further advised NPF to “be patient and serve our people when their time comes.”
They pointed out that all political parties contesting elections in Nagaland since its inception in 1963, have unfailingly included the issue of ‘Naga political problem’ in their manifestos.
They said heaps of promises were made to Naga people over ‘final settlement’ of the Naga political issue and only to mislead voters or to settle scores to gain political mileage.
The signatories therefore asked, how long will leaders take advantage of Naga people on Naga political issue?
They said it is known to all people that the key players for settlement of the Naga political issue are the government of India and the Naga national workers with the state government and leaders of various Naga Civil Society Groups as “mere facilitators”. The BJP workers expressed surprise that leaders in the state, “make tall promises to bring solution” even when they are not stakeholders in the talks.
The senior BJP workers also gave a call, that if Naga political leaders are sincere, their suggestion is that all the 60 members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly “resign and the house be dissolved” so as to pave way for the Central government to take over governance to solve the Naga political issue “once and for all”.
The BJP workers also urged upon the party leadership “to be sincere and transparent while serving the interest of our people.”