Flags out Will underground leaders decide to come together?
Photo: Benjamin Lorin Sugathan
SOMETHING IS afoot in
Nagaland. In the past week, all 60 MLAs of the state made their way to
Delhi to push for a settlement of the long-standing Indo-Naga political
problem. Earlier on 19 July, these MLAs offered to resign to make way
for an interim government comprising different underground groups.
While
various chief ministers in the past have offered to quit office for a
government formed by underground groups, it is for the first time in the
state’s 48-year-history that MLAs across parties have come together to
form the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) to pave the way for any
alternative that may emerge from the ongoing peace process.
“We have different
political voices, but now we are speaking as one, to hasten the solution
of the Indo–Naga political problem,” says Dr Sherzulei, president of
the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF). Former chief minister and leader
of the Opposition, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, SC Jamir, backs
the JLF. “This is what the people want and we are willing to do
everything to make it possible,” says Jamir.
According to sources, CM Rio has submitted a
proposal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that his government would
step down to make way for an interim government comprising the
underground factions. TEHELKA had earlier said (What’s Next For Nagaland?,
18 February) that as different groups try to pull together to form a
collective government, the state Assembly would make way for them. If
such a solution is reached, it could be a model for resolving other
long-standing disputes within the country.
The timing of the statement is interesting.
Nagaland goes to polls in 2013 and the country in 2014. The worry is
that if the political faces in the state and the Centre change, the
progress made in the past 10 years could be lost. Secondly, as a senior
Naga political leader said, “Unfortunately, elections are an expensive
affair, presently all 60 MLAs are willing to make way, however, after
incurring the costs of an elections I am not sure how many will be
willing to resign.”
On his part, Sherzulei stands by the
sincerity of his party’s decision. “It’s too early to say what will
happen to the political parties,” he says. “However, we, as a party, are
prepared to make way for a new government. We have no intention of
participating in the political process.”
Does this mean the end of political parties
in Nagaland? The general consensus seems to be that in their present
form, the political parties may become redundant. However, given that
there are so many underground factions in Nagaland, they will align
themselves based on political ideologies. Many feel the NPF could find a
new role for itself, but it could be curtains for the Congress.
As the Eastern Nagaland People’s
Organisation (ENPO) and the Naga Hoho put their weight behind the JLF
resolution, Home Secretary GK Pillai feels there is a long way to go.
“It was only when Pu Laldenga signed the Mizo Accord with the Centre in
1986, that the government of the day made way for him. Without a
solution between the Centre and the underground groups, this statement
doesn’t mean much.”
However, could this just be another
masterstroke by Chief Minster Rio? Having launched his party in Manipur
last year, could he be looking to remain relevant in both India’s and
Nagaland’s politics, post a solution? What remains to be seen is if this
statement is mere political posturing or just the next logical step in
attaining a Naga solution. But one thing is clear. While sovereignty may
not be possible, for the Nagas, statehood is not the final solution.
They aspire for more.
Avalok Langer is a Senior Correspondent with Tehelka.
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