KOHIMA, APRIL 25: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, while expressing that Naga people want peace, development and progress today, said the Nagas cry should be clearly heard by the negotiating parties of the Indo-Naga political talks.
“Since the issues are not totally resolved Centre’s Interlocutor for Naga Political Issue AK Mishra came to Nagaland to have talks with all the Naga negotiating parties and also take consultations with some senior leaders and tribal organizations”, Rio said while interacting with Reporters on the sidelines of a programme at Kohima Village ground, Ziekezou, here.
Also clarifying his statement made during the March Budget session of the State Assembly that a new mandate should be taken if the Naga Political Issue has to continue, Rio said “the new mandate is about whether the Naga movement should continue with arms or in a non-violent manner because today Naga people want peace and development”.
“The voice of the people should be heard clearly because mandate once given cannot be taken forever”, said Rio
“Government advised Mishra on handling Naga issue”
Asked as to why the Core Committee of the State Government on Naga Issue headed by him did not meet Centre’s Interlocutor Mishra while in the State, Rio said a few of them met him and heard the opinion of the Government of India (GoI). He however refrained from revealing the opinion of the GoI.
“We have also advised him how things (Naga peace process) should be handled”, he said.
BJP & NDPP to continue with PDA for 2023 elections
Meanwhile, on State BJP president and Cabinet Minister, Temjen Imna Along publicly declaring that BJP and NDPP would continue the pre-poll alliance partnership and contest the 2023 State elections, Rio accepted the same saying “we will go to 2023 general election with the same formula”.
In the 2018 elections, Rio’s newly formed Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and BJP had joined hands on the 40:20 seat sharing formula as People’s Democratic Alliance. (Page News Service)
