Kohima, June 14 (EMN): Trust, or the lack of it, was the crux of discussions at the Naga People’s Front (NPF) central executive council (CEC) meeting held today at the party’s central office in Kohima, as several NPF MLAs openly spoke of “trust deficit” that had existed among party workers and called to do away with such attitude.
Chief minister, Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu who is also the president of the party, however, was of the view that while some differences are bound to arise in a big political party like NPF with so many people from different backgrounds, there was nothing that could not be surmounted if there was trust amongst the party members.
Addressing a CEC meeting for the first time after he took over the helms of power in the state in February last, Liezietsu asserted that trust was very important in a political party, particularly among the leaders.
He said trust cannot be imposed but earned by proving oneself, by performing and by standing on one’s word. He indirectly reprimanded the vocal MLAs who spoke on the trust issues in the party that they have to be more careful when they use the word. Remain firm on the party’s stand and do not engage in small talk, was the message the chief minister put across at the meeting.
While admitting that there were internal strife within the NPF in the recent past, Liezietsu reassured party functionaries all that is over now as “our friends”, dissidents in the party, had decided to form another political party and there was no more confusion.
He expressed confidence that NPF will continue in power beyond 2018. The chief minister maintained that there was no other alternative political party in Nagaland besides NPF.
“We all know that the Congress era is over. They may be shouting but for sometime, there is no chance for them to come back,” he stated. As for the BJP, he said the NPF was sincere with its alliance partner.
While commenting on the circumstances that led to the sudden change of guard in the government resulting from the ULB issue, Liezietsu underscored the need for retrospection on how and why the psychology of the people got charged to such extent. “We have to examine ourselves and if we find lapses and failures on our part, this is the time to mend those failures,” he said.
On the ongoing political dialogue between the NSCN (IM) and the government of India, Liezietsu expressed optimism that something is going to come out of this dialogue. Towards this, he appealed to the people that this is not the time to remain critical, hinting at the public demands to know the content of the “framework agreement” signed between the two parties in dialogue.
“We believe that the NSCN (IM) must be doing their best to hammer out what will be best for the Naga people. Any point in the agreement, I don’t think they will or can claim separately for themselves. It will be for all of us,” he said.
Liezietsu also said the NPF is dealing with other Naga political groups (NPGs) and requesting them not to insist on participating at “this last moment” as it is believed that the NSCN (IM) would do justice. On the statement issued by the latter’s high command saying that they were keeping their door open inviting others to join them, he said it was communicated to them that it was neither ‘sufficient’ nor ‘proper’.
He expressed if the NSCN (IM) leaders believe in themselves that ‘something is going to happen’ then it is time for them to approach other groups, step forward and make contacts with other NPGs as all of them are fighting for Naga sovereignty.
Referring to his recent visit to neighbouring Manipur state, Liezietsu pointed out that there is a friendly government Manipur today, different from Ibobi Singh’s Congress government which had always came out against the ongoing talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre, saying they would not surrender “even a single inch” of their territory. He said that the new chief minister of Manipur was a “broadminded man” and there were positive signs which the NPF believes would help in the ongoing peace talks in Delhi.
The chief minister also appealed the “learned people in Nagaland who take interest in publishing so many statements in the newspapers” that it was not the time to talk about “imaginations” without knowing the hard reality as he feels they would only confuse the people.
On his recent trip to France, he said the purpose of the visit was to pay respects at the WWI Indian memorial there as a commemoration of the 100 years anniversary of the Naga Labour Corps who participated in the Great War. He informed that his entourage visited some Naga graves and also managed to get hold of papers containing 32 names from Nagaland.
Liezietsu said the NPF’s next focus is to improve the party’s stand in Arunachal Pradesh.
During the meeting, Forest minister Imkong L Imchen and National Highways minister Kaito G Aye who were earlier in the ‘dissident group’ reaffirmed their support to the NPF party and assured to work for the victory of the party in the forthcoming assembly elections.
Advisor Finance and MLA TR Zeliang, RD minister CL John, Medical minister P Longon and NPF Manipur president & parliamentary secretary Manipur Awangbow Newmai also spoke at the meeting.
