NDPP, BJP say no discussion of merger between parties post 2023 elections

State cabinet to discuss ULB issue today

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 20

Nagaland Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Neiba Kronu today termed the allegation that the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is going to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the 2023 elections as “a figment of imagination by the Congress party.”

Addressing a press conference here today at The Heritage, Kronu, who is also spokesperson for the State Government, made it clear that the NDPP would not merge with the BJP.

“The BJP party as a national party has their own principle. We, as regional party, NDPP, have our own principle,” he said adding that NDPP had never discussed about the merger with BJP nor it has such agenda.

“We are maintaining our own principle. BJP also have their own principles,” Kronu said.

Supplementing the Minister, BJP National Spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon and Advisor for New & Renewable Energy, IT&C, Science and Technology recalled that the BJP and NDPP entered into pre-poll alliance and contested the election together in 2018 elections and after having won the elections formed the government, and continued as alliance partners.

“To reiterate our alliance, we have also again entered into the same formula for the next elections,” he said. Post the 2018 election, he said, the parties have maintained their own identities and this would continue. He said the allegations of a merger “are made just to confuse the people. There is no such agenda.”

He also said that the relationships between the NDPP and BJP have grown by leaps and bounds, adding “It is stronger now, more than ever and it will continue so in the days to come.”

Naga political issue
On the Naga political issue, Kronu said that “Our people have been waiting patiently and expectantly for a final solution to the Naga political issue. Naga people want an early inclusive, honorable and acceptable solution.”

“We are not telling people to wait patiently. Our message is that we have been waiting patiently but we want solution as early as possible,” he said. “We are all serious. We want early solution,” he added.

Referring to the July 16, 2022 resolution taken by the Parliamentary Committee on Naga political issue, he said that it has sent a clear message to the people. He said the Parliamentary Committee/Core Committee on Naga Political issue had tried its best to bring the negotiating parties together.

Kronu said that the question of blocking or delaying the solution as accused by the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) does not arise. He stated that all members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, be it Core Committee or Parliamentary Committee on Naga political issue, are trying their best. “We are not pretending. We are serious and we want a solution,” Kronu maintained.

On the statement made by the Congress party that the present government has to step down for solution to come, Kikon said, “I think that is a huge sign of insincerity on their part. How a former Minister (referring to NPCC President K Therie) can make such statement? I am little shocked.”

He said that if they are sincere, they should come out with practical and progressive suggestions instead of accusations.

Kikon meanwhile informed that after the July 16, 2022 resolution of Parliamentary Committee on the Naga political issue, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him of the desire of the Naga people. “We are putting all efforts to ensure that there is a solution,” he said.

He added that consultative meetings and adoption of assembly resolutions on Naga political issue indicated a clear picture that the Government of Nagaland “has a clear mind on where we stand.”

Kikon continued that leveling personal allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio “is not healthy.”

“As leaders, we should focus on the issue. It should be issue based discussion and debate which will show sign of a healthy democracy in the state,” Kikon said.

Development activities
On the various developmental activities, highlighted in the Independence Day speech, which was criticized by the Congress, Kikon said that “various activities taken up the state government is visible.”

The only issue is that development will not happen at one go. Progress is there and development is happening on fast pace, he claimed.

Kikon stated that all the reports as mentioned in the Independence Day speech were produced by various departments after its implementation and termed it as a “progress report.” “If anything, they (Congress) want to contribute, they should also contribute positively and constructively for the development of the state,” he advised.

He stated that the BJP has been committed on all issues, whether it is the Naga issue or other developmental issues in the state of Nagaland. Meanwhile, Kikon informed that the state cabinet is going to discuss the ULB issue in its meeting on August 20 in Kohima at 11:00 AM.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/ndpp-bjp-say-no-discussion-of-merger-between-parties-post-2023-elections