Who will resign for the cause?

October 19, 2017 206 Views No Comment

On the 18th September (2017), Viyekha Rengma, member of the first Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA ), 1964, and also the first Rengma MLA, passed away. At his funeral, the constant eulogy was how the leader sacrificed his position for the Naga Cause when he along with other 11 Democratic Party (DP) members resigned from the NLA to facilitate the Naga peace process- the 1964 ceasefire between India and Nagas, and the ensuing peace-talks. The rest of the 34 ruling NNO (Nagaland Nationalist Organisation) members did not follow suit. While the circumstances were different then for me to critique their case, I’m inclined to believe that for him and the DP MLAs, helping to settle the Naga issue was paramount than the position they held.

Thus, the events of 1964 and today present a very similar picture. 2018 general election is around the corner and once again talk of an IMMINENT settlement is doing the rounds. Around this time in 2012, it was the same situation with Naga Settlement promised VERY SOON. MLAs started posturing, declaring that the NLA will be vacated to pave way for an Interim Government. Nothing happened… except that both the National Workers and the new government started another round of equi-closeness.

Today, it’s déjà vu all over again. According to grapevine, some politicians have already started lobbying for the post of Ato Kilonser in the INTERIM GOVERNMENT. For some, it looks like they want to finish the exchequer before the INTERIM takes over. The first prize for the most over worked department of 2017 goes to the State Finance Department. Again, some are desperately lobbying for seats in the INTERIM.

Overall, it’s win-win situation for the MLAs. While on one hand they lobby for Interim positions, their other hand is busy with election preparation, ready to swim to either direction as per the situation. So far, none of the MLAs is contemplating doing THAT thing which is perhaps the most right- resignation from the Nagaland Legislative Assembly… and pressurize the GoI for a final Naga Settlement which is INCLUSIVE and DEMOCRATIC.

This is the right time for the NLA to give leadership to Nagas. Shouting from the roof-top that one’s MLA seat will be given up to pave way for an Interim Government AFTER its announcement is NOT a sacrifice. It fools no one. Many writers have voiced their opinion about the contents of the Frame-work Agreement published on the 16th September by Khekiye K. Sema, IAS (retd). Some have expressed fear. Some said it’s not workable. Some have said the FA is nothing but one-man rule. The Hon’ble MLAs should consider the following:

Despite talks or rumours of an imminent Settlement, it may not happen in the next 20 years and thus no Interim Government to warrant resignations.
The challenge is to resign en-masse at this juncture. This itself is the message that the topmost priority of the GoI should be SETTLEMENT, not the 2018 Nagaland elections. Nagas in general desire SOLUTION BEFORE ELECTIONS and therefore, the most appropriate or symbolic gesture of this desire is for all the MLAs to resign NOW. This PUSH has been sorely missing from the Naga political narrative which only the MLAs can provide.
For many, the NLA symbolizes the divide and rule policy of India. The hour of redemption and glory is near but only if the MLAs are prepared to sacrifice for the greater Cause.

The MLAs as representatives of the people and their aspirations should aggressively shoulder the responsibility of bringing about a Naga settlement which is INCLUSIVE and DEMOCRATIC. This desire can be best expressed when the August House resigns en-masse and gain the necessary moral voice. The ruling NPF at present is the precursor of the DP of 1964. The NPF MLAs (and all the other MLAs) are in pole position to vindicate themselves by taking the most important decision which their 12 seniors first took in 1964.

So will they take the cue and resign as done before? No action can be stronger and no sacrifice greater than this gesture to back the claim that Nagas desire inclusive and democratic SETTLEMENT above everything else. Or should that sacrifice be left to the 12 NPF MLAs led by Dr. Shurhozelie? Perhaps, the number 12 has significance….

History beckons us again. Talk about coincidence.

By Joel Naga

(Republished as appeared in local newspapers of Nagaland on September 22, 2017)