After its formation, the executive of the nascent North East Regional Political Forum (NERPF) met at Niathu resort Friday to explore wider possibilities of effectively working together with an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha election.
Burning issues of boundary disputes between states like Nagaland, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh with Assam and the tough stand adopted by the regional parties remain have remained at best unspoken. In addition, it was unlikely that rival parties would agree to a common candidates to contest the Lok Sabha election in 2014. Against such a backdrop and perhaps almost admitting that the task was not easy, NERPF convenor and Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio said it was “very complicated”.
Addressing media persons at Ruby Café, Niathu Resort, Rio (flanked by chief advisor NERPF and president AGP Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and NERPF co-convenor Atul Bora), said NERPF was formed to promote understanding among regional parties and also appreciate each other’s problems. He stressed on “reconciliation and unity” among regional parties as the only option for survival of the region adding, “whether we like it or not, we have to co-exist”
When asked how regional political parties with contrasting ideologies and policies could work together, Rio said efforts were on to explore ways, so no conclusive decision has been made since they have been given a chance to work together.
Rio also said it was too early to say as to how many seats NERPF would contest in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections since it (NERPF) was only a confederation of regional political parties coming together.
He however disclosed that a committee has been formed with co-convenor NERPF Atul Bora as its convenor and comprising of representatives from member-parties of NERPF.
Rio said the committee would supervise coordination and assistance among regional political parties in the Lok Sabha elections.
He also said the committee would prepare a Common Minimum Programme apart from the 17-point resolution adopted in Guwahati, which would be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Rio said the recent bill tabled in the Rajya Sabha to transfer a portion of India’s land that falls in a border to Bangladesh was also “seriously” discussed. He said the NERPF would fight “tooth and nail” against any bill that seeks to cede any portion of land to foreign countries.
The NERPF Convenor also reminded that as per the 17-point resolution, NERPF has also taken up the issue of border demarcation in Manipur-Myanmar border.
When asked if NERPF would also take up the issue of portions of Naga territory now under Myanmar, Rio replied in the negative saying “ They have not taken our land; they have divided the Naga area- one portion in Myanmar and one portion in India union.” He said it was a bigger issue that has to be addressed since the decision was made without the consent of the Nagas.
He said the NPF government in Nagaland had raised the issue with both the government of India and Myanmar. Rio said after a long struggle, the constitution of Myanmar which was redrafted in 2008 recognized Nagas and subsequently, a Naga self administered zone was created though all Naga areas could not come under it. Rio also said it was learnt, that by 2015 general elections the area would be re-demarcated.
In Friday’s executive meeting, NERPF convenor said that it was decided in early part of 2014 NERPF delegates would be visiting the president, prime minister and government agencies to brief them on “regional issues.”
Rio also expressed gratitude to members for electing him as the Convenor NERPF while admitting that it was not ‘ a one-man job’.
He described Assam as the “mother of all the states of the northeastern region”, and that the “big brother” NERPF should make the state “very strong”. He said if NERPF was to survive, then Assam has to survive.
Rio revealed that the NERPF at a closed-door meeting reemphasized and reiterated the 17 point resolutions and that the members had a “good discussion”.
Too early to speculate NPF LS candidate
With political-rumors doing the rounds about chief minister Neiphiu Rio contesting the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, while not denying, Rio said it was too early to speculate on who would be contesting on NPF ticket for lone the Lok Sabha seat from Nagaland in 2014.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NERPF conclave at Niathu Resort Friday, Rio told Nagaland Post that the NPF has formed a Search Committee for the purpose of selecting a candidate under T.R. Zeliang minister planning, geology & mining.
He said the committee would submit its report to the NPF president and chief minister to take the final call. Asked about his role, Rio merely said “let’s see”.