All formalities to form an all-party opposition-less government in Nagaland have been completed.
The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), BJP, two Independent legislators, who are part of the government, and Opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Monday signed a joint resolution paving the way for the all-party government christened Nagaland United Government.
The decision to accept the Opposition-less united government has been taken unanimously by the primary PDA partners besides the two Independent MLAs supporting the PDA government and the modalities to include the principal Opposition party, NPF, into the government, the resolution said.
The NDPP and BJP who are a part of the pre-poll alliance named the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) formed the government after securing a majority in the 2018 Assembly elections and the NPF took the opposition bench in the Nagaland Assembly.
“It has been realised by the political parties that to achieve a peaceful solution to Naga political issue the efforts and sincerity of the elected representatives towards bringing about a settlement to the Naga issue is crucial, and the unity amongst them has to be paramount so as to expedite and achieve the common goal of a peaceful solution to the Naga political issue,” the joint resolution stated.
The resolution was signed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak, BJP president Temjen Imna Along, NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, Opposition leader TR Zeliang, ministers G Kaito Ayea, S Pangnyu Phom, Neiba Kronu and P Paiwang and NPF MLAs Imkong L Imchen and Chotisuh Sazo.
It said the Core Committee of the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue had resolved and affirmed the joint united approach in achieving the solution to the Naga political issue.
The NPF Legislature Party in its meeting on July 19 had resolved to wholeheartedly support and contribute to the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue. In order to facilitate the peaceful settlement and solution to the issue, the party has unanimously endorsed the concept of Opposition-less government with PDA, the resolution stated.
Describing the Naga political issue as a crucial issue which has been pending for decades, the parties to the resolution which constitute all the members of the Nagaland Assembly have resolved to stand united to achieve a peaceful amicable political solution.
“Thus, in light of the ongoing peace talks all the political parties to this resolution have endorsed the concept of united government so as to facilitate the Naga political issue to achieve an honourable and acceptable solution,” the resolution said.
To achieve an inclusive, acceptable and hounourable solution to the Naga political issue, the parties resolved to aim at promoting the Naga peace talks with a positive approach in the greater interest of achieving peace and to move forward under a positive environment that is conducive towards finding a political solution at the earliest time possible.
Deciding to appeal to all the political groups to make serious efforts towards unity and reconciliation, the parties resolved to ensure unity of its members in the Assembly towards the issue and make all possible endeavours to achieve the objective.
“The political parties at this crucial juncture of the Naga political issue shall encourage and impress upon the Government of India and all the negotiating parties to bring about the solution to a logical conclusion at the earliest,” the resolution read.
The parties also resolved to stand together towards achieving the goal of acceptable settlement.