Settle Nagaland issue before holding elections: NSCN-IM’s VS Atem

GUWAHATI: BJP’s state unit has backed out of the joint declaration of parties which demanded that the Nagaland issue be settled before holding state elections.

However, 10 MLAs belonging to Naga People’s Front resigned on Tuesday over the same demand. In a related development, emissary of the NSCN (IM) collective leadership, VS Atem, has said that if elections are ‘imposed’ on Nagaland, it would hit the ongoing talks. “For the people of Nagaland, elections are not important, solution is. The talks have been going on since the last 20 years, probably one of the longest in the world,” Atem told ET.

NSCN-IM and Naga national political groups recently held meeting the Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations and cautioned ‘vested interests’ not to sabotage the historical processes of negotiation by filing nominations. Nagaland goes to the polls onFebruary 27.


The BJP state units U-turn is followed pressure from its central leadership. The party on Tuesday suspended executive council member Kheto Sema who signed the declaration.

A senior BJP leader, told ET, “Kheto was asked to attend the meeting. He was not authorised to sign a declaration. Such decisions are taken by central leadership. As Kheto has signed the declaration without any consultation, he is placed under suspension.”