The central leaders were apparently engaged with hammering out leadership issues in the aftermath of the recently concluded assembly elections in five states.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
A team of legislators from Nagaland comprising of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chairman TR Zeliang, deputy chief minister Y Patton, and State BJP president Temjen Imna Along, who were in Delhi trying to forge ahead with finding a final solution to the protracted Naga political issue returned home “empty handed”.
According to a reliable source, the Nagaland team was reportedly on a mission in the national capital to discuss about bringing a solution to the long pending Naga political issue but could not meet the central leaders. The central leaders were apparently engaged with hammering out leadership issues in the aftermath of the recently concluded assembly elections in five states.
The team was informed by the Union Home minister, Amit Shah, that the Naga political issue would be discussed “next time”.
When contacted, UDA chairman and former Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang said that the UDA was trying its best to find a settlement to the Naga political issue before the assembly election due next year by giving a “last push” forward.
However, he said that after the formation of governments in the states in the recently held elections, the team would again revisit Delhi and meet the Central leaders with regard to in bringing a solution between the negotiating parties – Naga political groups and the government of India at the earliest.
Zeliang pointed out that it was the duty of the UDA leaders to facilitate talks between the negotiating parties and also unite all groups. He mentioned that the tussle between the NSCN (I-M) and the government of India with regard to recognition of a separate flag and constitution has become the “biggest issue” along the way to a final solution and it almost came a “deadlock”.
Meanwhile, Nagaland deputy chief minister Y Patton, who was also part of the team to meet the central leaders said that because of the recently declared results of elections held in four states of the country, the visiting team from Nagaland could not meet the central leaders in Delhi.
He said that though the team could meet few leaders, they could not discuss the issue but informed that UDA team would be visiting Delhi soon in order to find a solution to the protracted Naga political issue before the state assembly election. He, however, added that it all depends upon the central government in “deciding the final settlement”.
Meanwhile, on the speculations that a BJP woman candidate would be fielded for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Nagaland, the deputy chief minister Y Patton, who is also in-charge of home said that the party would come to know about its decision within a day or two after a discussion as the party has proposed few names for the same. The last date for the nomination to the Upper House is March 21.