We will implement Naga solutions if given opportunity, says Nagaland Congress president

Dimapur, Sep. 24 (EMN): The president of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), K Therie, has said that the grand old party would not file nominations in the upcoming state assembly election if the BJP and its allies do the same for implementation of solution to the Naga political issue.

In the meantime, he has directed the party members to continue preparations for the electoral battle in all seriousness to remove the roadblock to (Naga) solution, growth and expansion. “Given opportunity, Congress Govt. will cooperate with NNWs (Naga national workers) and the Centre to implement the solutions,” read the press release.

While stating that the Congress will stand with the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) to prevent the state polls for Naga solution, Therie asked if it can be executed. He also claimed that the Congress was “wiped out” in 2018 state polls due to poor preparation caused by “Solution not Election” slogan.

‘Can WC-NNPG really prevent election under any circumstance is the question with the future at stake. It will amount to failure of Constitutional machineries before the world and will reflect on the BJP govt. at the Centre. If we do not remove the roadblock to implementation of solution, people will continue to suffer more and even lose our identity and religion,’ he stated.

The state’s Congress chief said that the “Framework Agreement is a gentlemen’s agreement” signed on behalf of the nation and in full view of the people. “No party can go back from the Agreement. If there is any misinterpretation or misunderstanding, it is not the fault of the public. The aspiration of the people is clearly written on the wall- that we want solution to be implemented. People want peace, safety and security, one govt., one tax and development.”

He also said that the Agreed Position signed by the WC-NNPG with the GoI has been endorsed by the stakeholders for implementation and the state government too has committed to pave the way. Claiming that the stakeholders have rejected the purported PAN Naga Hoho and GoI not willing to grant a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas, he said there is no reason for the Centre to not implement Agreed Position in Nagaland.

Therie went on to claim that the UDA leadership lacks courage to mediate between the GoI and the NSCN (IM), and that solution would be possible if the chief ministers of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are taken into confidence.