The BJP on Monday suspended Kheto Sema and Tsasepi Sangtam, a State vice-president of the party, from its Nagaland unit for attending and signing without authority a resolution by Naga civil society groups demanding that the Assembly elections in the State be put off.
Earlier on Monday, 11 parties, including the ruling Naga People’s Front, decided not to contest the February 27 elections, following a demand by tribal bodies and civil society groups that the protracted Naga political problem be resolved first.
The decision came at a meeting called by the core committee of the Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations, which was attended by representatives of 11 parties including the BJP and its ally, the Naga People’s Front, and the Congress.
Unanimous view
“It is the unanimous view of the Naga people that the political solution or Naga peace accord is more important than elections and therefore, it has become imperative that the elections to the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland be deferred for peace and tranquillity,” read a joint declaration signed by the parties.
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who is the party’s election in charge for Nagaland, and Ram Madhav, party general secretary in charge of the northeastern States, met Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang and Surhozhelie, president of the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF), in Kohima.
“Government of India attaches utmost importance to the Naga issue and has full faith in the ongoing talks. We believe that peaceful election in Nagaland will facilitate the talks,” Mr Rijiju is learnt to have said.
(With PTI inputs)
