Rhetorical poll promises

Whenever elections are around the corner, the most talked about issue in Nagaland and perhaps even in Naga inhabited areas in Manipur is the Naga political issue and the expected solution to the several decades-old issue. Assembly elections in Nagaland are due sometime either in February end or March 2023. Expectedly, the Naga political issue continues to draw latitude. It may be recalled that in 1998, a simplistic rationale was that solution being more important than election, the government of India should postpone or extend the election so that solution to the Naga political issue was arrived at. In this regard, Nagaland Post in 1998 in its editorial titled ‘Solution not election’, pitched for solution even if that meant postponement for six months. After, all when all people have been crying for peace since the past several decades, what was the harm if election was postpone only for six months? Then chief minister S.C.Jamir countered, that there was no guarantee that solution can be achieved within six months or one year and for which elections, which are constitutional obligations, cannot be postponed indefinitely. Needless to say, the government of India also refused to commit on such an uncertain time table that would result in constitutional crisis. Again on 2003, the opponent of Jamir went as far as to boast that once they come to power, solution will be achieved within three months. Again, in the run up to the 2009 elections, the issue was about solution to the Naga political issue. The then ruling NPF promised to work for achieving solution and conveniently forgetting its promise of securing solution within three months on coming to power. Again in 2013, the NPF in its manifesto committed to gifting the people – if voted to power – a “political settlement” which is honourable and acceptable.” Having utilised the Naga political issue as a virtual signature tune, the regional parties-NPF and its offshoot the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party(NDPP) led by former NPF chief minister Nephiu Rio –were in dilemma as the tribal hohos resolved for ‘Solution before election’ which meant the same as in 1998. Interestingly, the BJP, which was the alliance partner of NPF from 2003,2008 and 2013, was emboldened enough to reaffirm that it would contest and fulfil its constitutional obligation and so threw its slogan of ‘election for solution.’ The regional parties since 2003 have used the Naga political issue wholesale, as the fig leaf to prove their bona fide as pro-Naga and in turn, meaning that those who were against them were also against the Nagas. Perhaps people today realise that all the rhetoric and self-assertion since 2003 have been laid bare. On its part, the centre has also tried to squeeze some mileage out of the issue by promising pre-Christmas solutions. When Christmases and New Years passed, the promise continued with before assembly or Lok Sabha elections. Now that assembly election is scheduled in February-March 2023 will the promise be on solution before Christmas 2022 or before assembly election 2023 or Lok Sabha election 2024? This is a political issue even if people feel the need for socio-economic development and good governance. Sadly political parties are again pulling the wool over people’s eyes by focussing only on the political issue that is beyond their ability to fulfil.