NSCN (I-M) on Wednesday said that it has no differences with the seven groups represented by the NNPGs or any other party “if they abide by the Framework Agreement”. The NSCN (I-M) however said that the demand for a separate flag and constitution continues to be an issue.
Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Special Correspondent
A day after Parliamentary Core Committee (PCC) meeting with the seven Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) at Niathu Resort, Dimapur to discuss the protracted Naga political issue, the first-ever meeting with the NSCN (I-M) was held on Wednesday at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumoukedima, Dimapur.
The NSCN (I-M) was represented by its general secretary Thuingalung Muivah and president Q Tuccu and other senior functionaries.
Former leader of the opposition in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and co-convenor of the PCC TR Zeliang, after the meeting told the media persons that though the committee had met the NSCN (I-M) leaders after a long gap due to the ongoing pandemic, the meeting was a “smooth sailing” and the NSCN (I-M) understood the former’s point and the later also understood their contention.
Stating that the core committee’s expectation was that the two Naga negotiating groups – NNPGs and other led by NSCN (I-M) sit across the table along with the 60 elected legislators in order to arrive at a “kind of conclusion”, Zeliang said. The committee has requested the NSCN (I-M) to resume their talks with the Government of India where the PCC would also pursue on behalf of them as a “facilitator” to arrive at a “common ground”. The objective was to let the Naga negotiating groups approach the Government of India with a “common approach” so as to expect a “conclusion”.
He also informed that it is the duty of the chief minister to talk to them as the committee has a “great concept” of opposition-less government but pointed out that the “ball” is in NSCN (I-M)’s court.
“We have agreed to the concept of this opposition-less government because of the Naga political issue,” Zeliang said while also adding “when we have opposition and ruling, we come together in the assembly but we have differences outside the house, but if we are together in the Government, we are not in a kind of any posts”.
This, he said while referring to the “framework agreement” signed during his leadership where there was also “opposition-less” government. Zeliang also informed that both the parties were “happy” with the outcome of the meeting.
It may be mentioned that the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (PNDP) had invited the opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) to join the state’s People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government, apparently to corner its ally the BJP on many issues.
The NPF which is the only opposition party in the state with elected members accepted the offer. The 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) currently has 59 members following the demise of one MLA.
The PDA has the support of 34 MLAs (20 from NDPP, 12 from BJP and two Independents) while NPF has 25 MLAs.
The NDPP had invited the NPF to be a part of the government which was followed by a meeting of the NPF legislators on July 19 where they decided to accept the offer in the interest of the settlement of the protracted Naga political problem.
No difference with NNPGs if they abide by FA: NSCN (I-M)
Meanwhile, the NSCN (I-M) on Wednesday said that it has no differences with the seven groups represented by the NNPGs or any other party “if they abide by the Framework Agreement. The NSCN (I-M) however, said that the demand for separate flag and constitution continues to be an issue.
Senior NSCN (I-M) functionary R Raising, in a telephonic conversation with a TV news channel disclosed that a need to arrive at an “early solution” was stressed in the meeting.
He said that the NSCN (I-M) has no differences with the seven NNPGs or any other party if they abide by the “Framework Agreement” while adding that the demand for separate flag and constitution continues to be an issue.
“We are saying that the solution should be arrived at the earliest,” he said.
On the issue of the core committee’s 5-point resolution asking the NSCN (I-M) to resume the talk, Raising said “if they invite us, then we will talk” and added that they have submitted a letter to the Prime Minister of India on some points that need to be clarified.