‘A few power hungry politicians begged & pleaded for elections’

January 26, 2018 68 Views No Comment

NNPG Working Group say GoI has ‘failed the Nagas once again’

The Naga National Political Group (NNPG) Working Group today claimed the current situation in Nagaland regarding the announcement of elections is not to do with the Government of India but is caused by a “few determined power hungry political party leaders in Nagaland.”

“To them, the solution to Indo-Naga political problem is a mere slogan to grab power and keep it. While at home in Nagaland these politicians raised their hands for solution in all assemblies but once they land in New Delhi, they begged and pleaded with GoI to announce elections. The GOI in turn nudged the Election Commission to sound the bugle for Election in Nagaland,” a press note from the NNPG Working Group said.

It stated that the “identities of these politicians are emerging,” and alleged that “theirs is a vicious plan to prolong the issue, occupy the chair, suffer our people and fill their coffers.” It lamented that the people of Nagaland have once again been “herded into the dreaded arena to fight and challenge their own will, conscience and principle while these few unprincipled men sit back, splash money and enjoy the spectacle.” Those haphazardly bringing election to Nagaland must take responsibility for their “anti-Naga stance,” it said.

The Working Group recalled that it had entered into a political dialogue on the “strength of our people’s voice and political right.” It added that on November 17, 2017, the GoI recognized the Naga people’s right to determine their future according to their distinct identity, creating ample space as two entities to work out the details of a relationship.

“Having clearly entrenched our right and setting a positive atmosphere to take the dialogue to a substantive stage, on 17th January, while the NNPGs were in New Delhi, prepared for a prolonged negotiation on major issues, the ECI announced elections in Nagaland,” it said.

The Working Group termed this as a “backward step and against the sentiment of our people;” as a result of which they had to “rush home to further consult the people.”

Terming now as a decisive moment, it stated that the unity of purpose and commitment of the Joint Christian Forum, NGBF, Naga Hoho, NTC, CNTC, NSF, NMA, ACAUT, senior citizens, former legislators, majority of intending candidates, present legislators, is unprecedented. “It takes courage to resolve in the assembly seeking solution and not elections. The decision of our people is solution not elections and therefore NNPGS will stand alongside our people. Appropriate answer for insulting the people’s decision must given,” it said.

While appreciation present legislators and intending candidates for “possessing courage and sacrificial commitment to seek solution over election and for showing the wayward politicians the correct decision,” the Working Group however stated that “those choosing to defy the people, file nominations and contest elections must clarify to the Naga people why participating in Indian election is more important than finding solution to Indo-Naga political issue.”

Reminding the constant assurances from the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and the Interlocutor, the Working Group stated that to ensure enduring solution to more than seventy year old conflict a mere pause to periodic elections in Nagaland, a demand of Naga people, will not destroy the world’s largest democracy.

“It is no more an electoral battle in Nagaland, it is a contest between a people, a nation involved in a political negotiation to ensure that younger generations live honourably in their homeland on one side and a few corrupt, opiated destructive politicians seeking to harness wealth and power for themselves, on the other,” it viewed.

The Working Group asked those prepared to contest election to “muster courage and declare to the Naga people, ‘I want election and not Naga solution and that I refuse to accept or entertain any political solution that may arrive between GOI and NNPGs; I summarily declare and reject political negotiations and so on my own will plan to file nomination; I have no regard for any decision that the Naga Apex organisations and tribes may arrive at and so I will be fully responsible for my actions.’”

“Nagas can then appreciate who truly has the voice and concern for the future generations,” it said.

It opined that by “using democratic exercise as a tool and heeding to insane utterances of chameleon-like Naga politicians,” the Government of India has “failed the Nagas once again.”

Morung Express News