NPF Chief

 We will wake up on time, says NPF Chief on withdrawing support to Rio

(“Our Peace Mission was hijacked by MLAs”  :   Shurhozelie)

KOHIMA,1st Sep'2022:. THE NPF is very much aware of the reality of Naga politics and the limitations of the so-called opposition-less Government.

But “as a people’s party”, the regional outfit will “wake up on time”.

“Do not worry…we will wake up on time”, NPF president Shurhozelie told Nagaland Page in the state capital when asked to comment whether his party will soon withdraw its support to the Neiphiu Rio Government.

He claimed under the present complexities, the NPF is unable to ‘withdraw support’ all of a sudden as he had personally endorsed the MLAs extend support to the Rio-led Government for ensuring a consensus approach to bring an early solution to the Naga problem.

“I had allowed them ~ the NPF legislators ~ to be part of the opposition-less regime in 2021 for political reason. So it is natural I give them some time…Again, earlier this year, 21 MLAs from my party defected to NDPP. All these are into play, so I am taking time…but we will do our part sincerely”, the former Chief Minister said.

Shurhozelie claimed his party’s Political Affairs Committee, headed by former CM TR Zeliang, had done a commendable job in terms of bringing NNPG and NSCN-IM into some agreement in principle to ensure an early signing of a peace pact.

“But we are so unlucky…we were about to host a dinner meeting for key leaders in both camps ~ NSCN-IM and NNPG ~ for agreeing to come together….but other circumstances prevailed. My MLAs hijacked party organization’s agenda and Peace Mission. They fell for being part of opposition-less Government. Who or what influenced such a move, is something I will not dwell on now”, Shurhozelie said.

However, a key political source told this newspaper that the regional chieftain’s claim is little far-fetched.

Answering a question, he asserted that unless two principal stakeholders ~ the NNPG and NSCN-IM ~ agree to the Government of India and sign a pact jointly, a lasting peace is not possible.

As of now, we are not very optimistic but we don’t want to give up hoping…,” the veteran regionalist remarked.

“Of course, we made forward movement…but when MLAs insisted on being part of opposition-less Government; I was embarrassed. I don’t complain”, the NPF chief said.

He said as a committed regionalist he is firm about an honourable solution and for a solution which is acceptable and inclusive.

But, there is a twist, “when I say inclusive solution, my detractors say, I am supporting Muivah…this is not true.”

Therefore, he said the NPF has repeated more than once that no “piece meal” solution will be accepted. “Such a thing will result in bloodshed yet again. So, we say we want one solution and one agreement. If the Government of India wants separate agreements and still ensure peace, we can support.”

On the issue of Flag and Constitution as demanded by NSCN-IM, he said, “I have discussed things with former Governor RN Ravi and others…Even Government of India said a Constitution within Constitution is not acceptable…so they said Yezabo, but now that has also hit roadblock.”

Talking about NPF’s future and past politics, he said the story of Naga politics is always incomplete without the journey of regionalism ~ whether UFN, UDF, NNDP and NPC or NPF.

“Once we blamed Government of India for our people’s suffering. We were not wrong; but today we have to make a judgment in a right perspective without shifting blame to others”, he said

(Source: NP)