EMN
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 9
Chief Minister TR Zeliang has expressed optimism on the recent development and said ‘a new dawn is breaking for the Nagas’.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the Peren Division NPF Consultative Meet on Tuesday morning at Jalukie.
According to T R Zeliang, the 2015 political crisis was a blessing in disguise and said that the event had led to the formation of the Opposition-less government in the state.
“The political turmoil which struck us early last year like an earthquake, was really a blessing in disguise because if the crisis did not happen, who knows, my ministry might not have been as comfortable as it is now since the erstwhile opposition parties might have remained staunch opposition”, the Chief Minister said. “But with the coming together of all the legislators we are all of the same opinion that early solution to the prolonged Naga political issue is the prior most on our agenda”, he added.
Harping on the move of the legislators including the two MPs pertaining to the Naga political issue, T R Zeliang said that the Parliamentary Working Committee which consists of representatives of all erstwhile political parties in the State comprising of 23 members including the two MPs had decided as recent as on Monday to go to Delhi on February 15 to meet leaders of all political parties to support early solution of the Naga problem as and when the matter comes up in the Parliament. The Chief Minister then exuded confidence that most of the political parties would extend support for a solution that is honourable to Nagas because peace talks were initiated during the UPA rule, and the present NDA leadership is determined to solve the issue at the earliest.
The BJP and the NPF are long time coalition partners, he said and pointed out that since 2003 when NDA was in the opposition, the BJP and the NPF were coalition partners. This coalition spirit was there when BJP was in the opposition at the Centre and it continues to this day when BJP-led NDA is in the ruling, he said.
He also expressed happiness that the Government of India was in talks with all sections of the people and that it was determined for an inclusive settlement of the problem involving all stakeholders in the talks.
A new dawn has broken for the Nagas and we have reasons to rejoice, he repeated and pointed out how recently the Naga Hoho and the Eastern Naga People’s Organisation have sent joint delegation to Myanmar to meet leaders of the NSCN K to convince them to return to ceasefire talks with the Government of India and to abjure violence.
For the first time in many years we have seen delegations of the NSF and the ENSF jointly meeting top leaders at the Centre, he pointed out. He also revealed that the Naga Mothers’ Association along with many of its associates were closely working with the State and Union Government to bring a permanent peaceful solution to the Naga political problem.
“A common destiny awaits us and let us prayerfully strive together with better understanding to go ahead with our people to that brighter future”, the Chief Minister appealed.
On his qualification issue which has been dragged into Court and publicised in the local media on several occasions, the Chief Minister said he was not in favour of what he called “trial by media” and that since the matter has been taken to the portals of the Court, he would stick to legal procedure and await the verdict rather than respond through the media.
“The petitioners have all the time and resources to go to the courts hiring expensive legal consultants, but I have no inclination or intention to waste my time”, he said and asked party workers and constituents not to doubt for a moment that the courts will give adverse ruling against him.
“I am confident the courts will rule according to the laws of the land, so why should you panic”, the Chief Minister asked which prompted the hundreds of party workers to applaud gleefully.
Others who addressed the gathering included Minister Kipili, minister in charge of the district and former MLA Shingyu, Vice President Central Office and party in charge of the district. Tenning MLA Namrie Nchang also exhorted the gathering.
Don’t believe in Bazaar talks: Patton
Nagaland Home Minister Y Patton sought to dispel rumours that he was trying to topple the TR Zeliang ministry saying people should not believe in loose Bazaar talks adding that he was one of the strongest supporters of TR Zeliang for the post of Chief Minister.
Addressing the NPF Peren Division Consultative Meet at Jalukie, Patton said TR Zeliang will continue to be the Chief Minister beyond 2018 and assures the people that there is no misunderstanding whatsoever in the present ministry.
“We legislators are determined to make TR Zeliang the Chief Minister beyond 2018 and so why should not you the constituents of CM’s constituency decide to send him to the Assembly next time uncontested? There is also seniority in politics and if you elect a brand new MLA he will be a mere MLA. Why deprive yourself of Chief Ministership?” Patton added.
He dispelled the ongoing rumours that he was eyeing for the post of CM saying he is quite satisfied with the position he occupies now.
“I was the one who benefitted the most out of the political crisis last year”, Patton said.
“I was never one who was close to the Lord, I rarely prayed, I rarely read the Holy Bible and I rarely sang hymns, but with the yearlong political crisis last year, I have started to pray to the Almighty, I have started to read the Bible, and I have learned to sing hymns”, Patton said amidst loud rounds of applause.
The minister also asked party rank and file including legislators to remain loyal to party principles, ideologies and also to the party leadership. He went on to praise the Chief Minister as being cool headed in times of crisis and also for providing able leadership when there was doubt and uncertainty. He reiterated that he would make it a point to ensure that TR Zeliang continues to be Chief Minister beyond 2018.
