The Question Of Autonomy

Nagaland poses a unique challenge to the BJP’s grand ambition of spreading its wings across the Northeast.

- Kaushik Deka

Assembly elections are scheduled for February 27, but can Naga social and political groups be persuaded to parti­ ci pate? On January 29, 11 parties, including the local BJP chapter, issued a joint declaration of their intent to boycott the elections if the Centre failed to “allow the Naga political process to reach its logical conclusion by giving space and time to the negotiating groups to bring out an early solution”.

A day later, the BJP high command reacted by suspending the two leaders who had signed the declaration. Union MoS for home affairs Kiren Rijiju, the BJP’s election in­charge for Nagaland, said a boycott was not the solution. “We fully un­derstand the sentiments expressed... but the holding of timely elections is a constitutional process,” he argued. “The Union government,” he added, “attaches the utmost importance to the long­pending Naga issue... a peaceful election will facilitate the ongoing talks and strengthen our commitment.”