After the discussion with the Prime Minister the Naga leaders expressed satisfaction and said that Mr. Vajpayee appeared to be determined to put an end to the five-decades-old problem.

The Naga leaders were particularly impressed by the kind gesture shown towards them by the Prime Minister. Despite his busy schedule, Mr. Vajpayee met the Naga leaders, who were camping in New Delhi for nearly a week within 24 hours of his return from the European tour.

The Naga leaders also prised the Prime Minister about the progress made by the BJP in Nagaland. The leaders expressed the hope that the party would do well in the State provided it gets full support from the Central leaders.

However, on this count, differences have cropped up among the Central and State BJP leaders. A majority of the State BJP leaders want that senior Naga leader Hokishe Sema should be made the president of the party’s State unit. They feel only Hokishe Sema will be able to take Congress stalwart S. C. Jamir head-on as he enjoys the support of the people from all over State.

But the BJP Central leaders are reluctant to offer any top post of the party organisation to the new entrants. Hokishe Sema, Chingwang Konyak and their followers have recently joined the BJP. BJP leaders in Delhi told Hokishe Sema and his supporters that as per the party constitution, the new entrants were not eligible for posts such as presidentship of the State unit. As per the BJP’s constitution, a person should work for 10 years as a primary member and three years as an active member before being considered for such posts.