Nagaland BJP chief Benjamin Yepthomi backs SC Jamir on the Naga political issue and supports calls for leaders to speak openly
DIMAPUR — Nagaland BJP president Benjamin Yepthomi has publicly backed former Chief Minister SC Jamir on the Naga political issue, saying political affiliations should not come in the way of acknowledging what he described as the veteran leader’s truthful position.
Addressing a press conference in Dimapur on Monday, Yepthomi said that he stood by Jamir despite belonging to the BJP while the former chief minister comes from the Congress.
“What the elderly leader, SC Jamir, stated is 100% correct. I am not saying he is infallible; none of us are perfect, only God is perfect. Pastors, reverends, politicians—all of us have shortcomings. But regarding what he articulated on this issue, I stand with him,” he said.
His remarks come amid reactions to Jamir’s recent comments on the Naga political issue, with the Ao Senden and Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) also maintaining that no single group or faction can claim exclusive ownership over the political future of the Naga people.
Yepthomi said he fully supported the position taken by the two Ao bodies and urged political leaders to speak openly on the issue.
He claimed that a majority (70%) of legislators in the 60-member Assembly privately believed Jamir was right but were hesitant to say so publicly.
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“What are people afraid of? We are all mortal beings; none of us will live forever. If we want to bring about systemic change, we must speak boldly and stand for the truth,” he said.
Yepthomi acknowledged that Jamir's long tenure as chief minister may have included mistakes, but maintained that his position on the specific issue under discussion was “correct and factual.”
BJP workers seek all 60 seats
On reports that BJP workers have submitted representations urging the party to contest all 60 Assembly constituencies in the next election, Yepthomi said the state unit had received such representations and forwarded them to the central leadership.
He reiterated that BJP was a cadre-based organisation with around 2.6 lakh karyakartas across villages, towns and districts and a presence covering 2,361 polling stations in Nagaland.
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Yepthomi said party workers, mandal presidents and district presidents had met him and submitted representations expressing their desire for the BJP to contest all 60 seats.
“As the state party president, I accepted their representation and forwarded the sentiments and demands of our grassroots workers to the central party leadership. It is now up to the central leadership to take a final decision,” he said.
Calls for clarity on liquor policy
On deaths linked to the consumption of spurious liquor in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts, Yepthomi said that Special Investigation Teams (SITs) formed for investigations are often susceptible to manipulation.
He called for a clear policy roadmap on alcohol in Nagaland, suggesting that the state should either consider legalisation or enforce a complete prohibition after proper consultation.
He also questioned the government's policy of maintaining Nagaland as a “dry state” while issuing licences for two bonded liquor warehouses.
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