Mokokchung, January 16 (MTNews): Stating that the cry for solution before the next Assembly election in Nagaland is a genuine call that has the support of all sections of people, and in the context of the latest development between the NSCN (IM) and the NNPGs coming to a meeting point, the group ‘The Naga Rising’ has appealed for deferment of Assembly elections in Nagaland to a later date.
This appeal, TNR stated in a press release, was to allow bringing to a conclusion the ‘single solution’ between the Government of India and the Naga Political Groups.
“The Naga Rising appeals for deferment of elections in Nagaland so that some time is given to the two negotiating groups to work towards finalizing the much-needed ‘One Solution’, as desired by both the Naga public and the Government of India,” it maintained.
The TNR claimed that all political parties including the ruling government and key stakeholders led by the tribe hohos are in favour of a Solution-First. “The only thing that is seen as an impediment to solution-first is the negotiating parties, including the Government of India, are not able to come to a meeting point,” it said.
TNR stated that the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) have declared “unconditional commitment” to collaborate for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the Government of India, which is called “a significant development.”
It reminded that the declaration of January 14 between the NNPGs and the NSCN (IM) representatives under the initiative of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) stated: “…unconditional commitment to collaborate on the basis of our respective agreements, with immediate effect, for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the Government of India.”
‘Holding of regular elections can be stopped’
TNR said that the popular theory is that elections is a constitutional obligation and cannot be deferred. It also said that, following the recent visit to Nagaland, the Election Commission of India has also affirmed this position. However, TNR said, “The holding of regular elections can be stopped by means of a constitutional amendment in consultation with the Election Commission.”
TNR said that it is recognized that interruptions of regular elections are acceptable in extraordinary circumstances. “In the run up to the last Assembly Elections in 2018, there were suggestions made to the Centre before the announcement of poll dates that the Nagaland elections be deferred by six months,” TNR recalled. “A specific timeframe, where all stakeholders come on board, was proposed. However, the Modi government decided not to set any deadline for signing the final accord with Naga groups, it was reported in the media,” TNR added.
“The present political dispensation in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi can take the political initiative to defer conduct of Assembly Elections to a later date in consultation with the Election Commission of India,” TNR convener Along Longkumer and Secretary Khriezo Yhome suggested.