With every passing minute the complications as a result of the opposition to the assembly polls seems to increase. As expected some of the national political parties have already done a volte-face within a few hours after signing the declaration to abstain from the electioneering process. It would not be a surprise if more join the bandwagon in the next few days and retract their earlier joint declaration. Such steps will further embolden the intending candidates, who might just go ahead with the nominations. That would spell trouble and instead has the right ingredient for violence.
With the announcement of the elections the number of central police forces and paramilitary forces are set to increase manifold in the next few days. The Core Committee of Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations have already threatened to call a state-wide total bandh on Feb. 1 if the election commission goes ahead with the election notifications on Jan. 31. If the gband is called then the stage is therefore set for an all out confrontation between the volunteers and the central security forces. The uncertainty that was prevalent for the last few days is now being replaced by general fear.
As for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has never hesitated to publicise the peace talks that even found mention in his speeches abroad, it is indeed an uncomfortable situation to be in at present. The current situation if not tackled properly is, to put it bluntly, bad PR for the prime minister and the country. It will be a dampener to the much publicised Act East Policy and the constant warming up of relations with the ASEAN countries. The recent visit by the leaders of the 10 ASEAN countries during the Republic Day was also part of it. The connectivity to these countries via the Northeast is the objective thereby increasing and improving trade relations. Any disturbance to the peace in the Northeast is unwanted at present.
Consequently, too much is at stake for all the negotiating parties and also the people if the current confrontation continues. As mentioned in this column earlier, there has to be a understanding and a middle path if possible. At present the two opposing stands do not have a meeting point. As seen earlier in the state such confrontations always end with loss of lives. Although it seems quite united, if one of the political parties make a breakthrough and is able to file nomination the crack so formed will widely divide the people further. Fulfilment of the constitutional requirement is of outmost requirement but if it has to be done only through violence and loss of lives then the whole idea of the peace process will be defeated. Similarly, everyone in the Naga areas are also longing for a permanent and a logical settlement to the political issue. The reason why violence was done away with for the sake of the negotiating table in the first place. An often repeated term during the last 20 years of peace talks by both parties; an out of the box solution, is also required for this current impasse.
