Nagaland political -speak

All 60 legislators in Nagaland are part of the second opposition-less government – United Democratic Alliance (UDA)- which was formed on September 18,2021 purportedly, in the interest of the Naga political issue. It may be recalled that the first opposition-less government in Nagaland under DAN-III comprising of – NPF, BJP, Congress, JD(U), NCP and Independent MLAs- was formed in May 2015 with the same plea. Since 2003 the successive regional party-led elected governments have accorded Naga political issue as top agenda and speech was about securing solution that was inclusive, honourable and acceptable to all sections of Nagas. This exercise has been in motion especially since 2003 where all legislators resolved, in as many ways, on playing their role as facilitator for solution. This has also led to formation of the legislators’ forum and holding of consultations with tribal hohos, church and civil society members. Since 2003 and till date, none of these appear to have had the desired effect except keep the legislators centre-stage. The legislators constituted the Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) with the assembly speaker as convenor in 2012. The JLF comprised of representatives of all ruling and opposition legislators. Nagaland government is not involved in the official parleys. In comparison, the Mizoram government under Lalthanhawla, was involved in the tri-partite negotiation which eventually led to signing of the Mizo Peace Accord in 1986. The Mizo political issue was finalised in two years whereas the Naga political issue is over 25 years and solution still hanging in mid air. NPF withdrew from JLF on August 19,2020 citing indifference by the ruling NDPP and went on to form its own Political Affairs Mission(PAM) with the same objective. JLF and PAM continued in the same style with consultative meetings which revealed a dichotomy of approach. Their separate visits to Delhi also made efforts more futile and eventually both reunited under a new name called core committee on Naga Political Issue with the chief minister as convenor and heads of various party legislatures as co-convenor. Perhaps Nagas have learnt that all these exercises are futile with no impact. The silence from the very government that claim to be mandated by people and acting for their interests may have caused a pang of conscience among legislators, when several of them have let cat out of the bag. They accused their own government of not telling the truth to the people on solution has been stalled. The assembly was informed about this aspect at the opening session by the then governor and twice by a legislator. Even in a meeting of an apex tribe body, a senior legislator also disclosed the reasons behind the delay and another leader saying the same in the media. Several organisations have also echoed the same sentiments on the political issue and also demanded that the state government come clear on the contents of the Framework Agreement. Perhaps in response, then NPF leader and now NDPP member- T.R.Zeliang – in his capacity as UDA chairman, has strongly urged upon all Naga leaders to refrain from commenting on Naga political issue. The point is, that after 24 years of negotiations and signing of two agreements, it is illogical to stifle the voices of leaders and prevent Nagas from being updated on what is going on. If the government has not problem, it is duty bound to inform people since it represents them.