Decision for opposition-less government in Nagaland was for Naga issue, says NPF

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 20 (EMN): A day after Nagaland’s opposition legislators joined the NDPP-BJP led People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government, the secretary general of Naga People’s Front (NPF) party Achumbemo Kikon confirmed that it was a consensus decision.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Kikon said the idea of forming an “all-party government” was mooted and brought to the notice of the party and a meeting was held last week, where a consensus decision was taken.

“If it is for the Naga political process, as far as the NPF is concerned, we are consistent on Naga political issue and therefore we have endorsed our legislators to discuss, deliberate and decide on it,” said the secretary general, adding that the legislators took the decision at its meeting on Monday.

He maintained that the legislators and the party were not adverse to the idea of having an opposition-less government but to expedite the Naga peace process and bring it to a logical conclusion.

He added that the party has been supporting the government and therefore to enable the political solution, the decision was arrived at ‘purely for the Naga political issue and it will go on that line’.

Further, Kikon exuded hope that the Naga peace process would draw a conclusion with an honourable solution.

Meanwhile, when queried about the exclusion of the seven NPF MLAs from the legislature wing meeting held in Dimapur on Monday, Kikon said the party had not revoked the suspension and could not invite them as it was ‘party discipline’ and the decision of the disciplinarian action committee.

However, he said that even if they were not invited, it was the decision of the majority and the seven MLAs were still suspended members and bound by party discipline.

He further maintained that the party had ‘so far not thought about revoking the suspension of the members’.

NPF passes resolution

Meanwhile, the NPF Legislature Party adopted a two-point resolution at its meeting held at the residence of Leader of Opposition, TR Zeliang in Dimapur on Monday.

“The NPF Legislature Party unanimously endorses the concept of an opposition-less government with PDA in the larger interest of the Naga people. Hence, do hereby authorise the Hon’ble Leader of Opposition to workout necessary formalities with the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Nagaland,” read the press release from NPF.

It also stated that the NPF Legislature Party deliberated on the Naga political issue in order to actively facilitate between the government of India and the Naga negotiating groups to bring about an inclusive, honourable and acceptable solution.

“In this regard, the NPF Legislature Party will continue to wholeheartedly support and contribute to the newly formed Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue in order to pursue for early resolution and settlement of the protracted issue,” it stated.