The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked the Congress-led UPA government in the Centre to shun flirting with Naga peace process and asked the party to categorically spell out their ‘intention and provision’ for ensuring peace in Nagaland. BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy stated that the ambiguous statements made by some Congress leaders over the Naga peace process, during their recent visit to the State is dangerous.

“People along with those involved in the peace process have every right to know unambiguously, the ‘contents and pathway’ of the peace proposal”, Rudy demanded. BJP also termed the indefinite extension of Ceasefire between the GOI and NSCN-IM as a welcome sign, but stated that it should not be treated ambiguously.

The BJP’s apprehension was that indefinite extension of CF could be a ploy of UPA government before the State Assembly election. “We apprehend it could be a ploy by Congress-led UPA government before the State Assembly election”, Rudy said. Chipping in, BJP legislator and Parliamentary Secretary, MC Konyak, assured that Naga issue will be seriously taken up if BJP returns to power at the Centre. Supplementing him, Rudy said that BJP-led NDA regime had lined up the issue; however, the discontinuation of BJP rule at the Centre had stunted the whole process. In order to bring solution to the vex Naga issue BJP regime needs continuity at the Centre, Rudy said.

It was also made known that the BJP-led NDA government had agreed to support integration of Naga areas, but the condition that it should be based on national consensus has hindered the integration process. Asked whether BJP’s assertion that integration of Naga areas based on national consensus, tantamount to the party’s own ambiguity and excuse to escape from fulfilling the Nagas demand, the BJP leaders responded by saying that there is nothing wrong in trying for consensus.

“Integration is in the court of the Centre”, Konyak said. Congress is playing a double standard game on this issue because the latter supported those who are opposed to integration, he added. Transport Minister, Imtilemba and Ato Yepthomi, state president, also partook in the press conference.

Nod to DAN coalition

The Bharatiya Janata Party said that DAN coalition should continue but affirmed that the party will endeavour to extend its tentacle even to the remotest parts of the state by contesting in most of the seats.

BJP Spokesman and election in-charge of Nagaland state Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that the party has accepted the coalition in Toto and they are comfortable and happy working in the present coalition.

“BJP accepted coalition in Toto. We are comfortable and happy working in the present coalition government”, Rudy observed.

Although the party has agreed to abide by the coalition arrangement on seats sharing, BJP may pit its own candidates in majority of the constituencies. In the last election the party contested in 38 constituencies, but this time they may put up more candidates, Rudy said.
Rudy also admitted that there has been often minor rift between his party and NPF, but such differences are often eased through dialogue. One instance was during the election of President of India, where most of the NPF legislators voted against their candidate, but it was resolved through dialogue, he stated.

DAN coalition government has given ample opportunities for its legislators and ministers to contribute their mite in the development of the state, Rudy opined.

He said that the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari vajpyee led NDA has shown them a very compatible art of coalition and the BJP will continue to adopt it.

BJP would like to remind the people that Rs 1050 crore former PM Atal Bihari Vajpyee package for Nagaland has gone a long way in the development of state, Rudy said, while complimenting the DAN government for successfully using this resource for development.

“BJP legislators and ministers in the state government has contributed immensely to development”, Rudy boasted, while he condemned the ‘lackadaisical’ approach of the UPA government in providing resource, infrastructure vis-ŕ-vis 4 lane national highway, tourism, airport etc. “Nagaland is a living credentials of secularism”, Rudy added. Meanwhile, BJP said that the government should explore all possible means to tap the untapped hydel resource for generating power in the NE.

According to BJP sources, actor Preity Zinta, Hema Malini and Shatrugan Sinha are likely to visit Nagaland as part of election campaigns for BJP in the forthcoming elections.

Also confirming that their visit will focus mainly in Dimapur, it was also stated that their visiting other districts is also possible. The state BJP is likely to field 40 candidates during the next general elections in the state, due in the early part of 2008.

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