Article IV: 3 of the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) Constitution provides for the party’s highest platform known as the NPF ‘Central Executive Council’ (CEC). With its powers and functions as specifically enshrined in the given Article, the CEC, encompassing members from all levels and sections of the party, is a complete, authoritative and adequately represented platform of the party set up. It is a normal practice that all matters, and any problem vis-à-vis the party’s affairs and policies are discussed, deliberated or debated at the Central Executive Council meetings.
As such, the party, in its CEC meeting on November 29, 2016 discussed and deliberated matters related or pertaining to NPF, and hence, the speakers, most of who were Ministerial in charge of the various Divisions (Districts) were voicing and sharing the views, opinions and position at the grass root with special reference to their respective jurisdictions / areas. During the course of the proceedings of the meeting, certain instances unpleasant for NPF and BJP of the DAN alliance also crept up following the State Governor B.P. Acharya’s statement in the media criticizing the state Government as corrupt, and subsequently, the Nagaland state BJP, submitting a representation to the State Governor, terming and accusing the DAN Government as corrupt.
Under the given situation, the discussion focused on the fact that, being Governor of a state means that the state Government is the Governor’s own Government, and whether it would be wise for the Governor to address the Assembly as – “My corrupt Government”. It is also surprisingly baseless that, Nagaland BJP, though a close and old ally of NPF, sharing power in the NPF led DAN Government for years since, was of late engaging itself in blame game and sheer falsehood as to indict its major partner NPF of being corrupt or giving the state BJP a step motherly treatment. Considering the need to maintain cordial relation with Raj Bhawan as imperative, winding up the topic, a senior NPF Minister reminded all concerned members to inculcate the responsibility to call on the Governor as often as possible, rather than keeping away and blaming others.
Another senior NPF Minister observed that, State Governors function according to the Parliamentary system, further suggesting that Governor’s visits, especially, or particularly to villages, needs to be informed in advance and enable arrangements made properly, considering the fact that Governor is head of the state, and as it would help lessen a lot of avoidable hardships, confusion and misunderstandings.
The confusion over the status of the Nagaland State Unit BJP President as Vice Chairman of DAN, as pointed out by Yanghose Sangtam, State BJP Spokesman should be sorted out or ascertained at the right forum.
Further to the above, NPF stands by the statements made by its legislators during the CEC meeting held on November 29, 2016. No Doubt, some of the points raised by the legislators were reported out of context in the local dailies. It is a fact that the legislators, while voicing out their concerns, on various issues, had also touched on the activities of the Governor because of the prevailing total communication cap between Raj Bhawan and the legislators. The meeting felt that the integrity of Raj Bhawan should be upheld and no political party including BJP should misuse the Raj Bhawan. The meeting also felt that the Governor should be little diplomatic while echoing his views as he is the head of the state. The legislators also advised the NPF party leaders to call on the Governor frequently and interact with him, at the same time, cautioning party workers not to take advantage of the Raj Bhawan for any political mileage. The BJP Nagaland should not feel agitated because it was BJP themselves who raked up the differences of opinion within the alliance.
Both achievements and failures should be jointly owned by all the DAN partners. BJP seems to be acting holier than thou. BJP should realize that they won just one seat in the last election. The NDA running the Union Government could be the reason why the BJP Nagaland unit has suddenly become so arrogant.
