KOHIMA, Dec 21 (NEPS): The Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Keyanilie Peseyie said he had proposed to have a meeting for the members of the Joint Legislature Forum (JLF) of Nagaland and also representatives from other recognized political parties in the State. This proposed meeting will be attended among others by Nagaland’s 60 MLAs, 2 MPs of the State and leaders from other recognized political parties in the State. The meeting will be arranged after New Year 2013, he told North East Press Service (NEPS) here Friday.
Peseyie, who is the Convener of the JLF, stated that the meeting was only “proposal” and once it was finalized would only be organized after 2013 New Year. “In the meeting, we have to share our minds on the present issue confronting all of us and discuss as to how they can solve the impasse and go ahead to see that the Naga political issue reach its logical conclusion,” he said.
Asked about the minds of the Chief Minister and the Leader of Opposition in the JLF Meetings, the JLF Convener admitted there were different opinions of their stands expressed during the JLF meetings. “But all these were healthy debates and deliberations in order to produce the best idea to find ways for solution,” he replied. “In democracy, we need such activities. It is politics.”
Describing the 60 Nagaland Legislators’ going to Delhi as “historic,” Peseyie said everyone should appreciate that “journey” and meeting with the Prime Minister and other Central leaders.
“Even the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, while lauding our JLF coming to Delhi, said the Naga issue was unique,” the JLF Convener disclosed. “The Prime Minister also told us that they would try their best to see that the Naga issue was solved.”
Peseyie also stated that they could not take any resolution on the December 10 JLF Meeting at Chumukedima. “We only decided to have a meeting on December 13 at my residence at Kohima and for which a Sub-Committee of 20 out of the 60 JLF Members will sit at my official residence here at Kohima and chalk out as to how they can have consultation with civil societies, NGOs and Church organizations,” he said. “But the meeting could not be held as CLP Leader Tokheho Yepthomi telephoned me their inability to attend the meeting.”
It may be mentioned that CLP Leader Yepthomi said the Congress in its meeting on 12th December 2012 at Dimapur suggested that a meeting of all political parties, NGOs and civil societies be convened by the Speaker as some political parties do not have MLAs and therefore it may not be proper for JLP to convene such meeting. He further disclosed that the Congress party resolved that if the Speaker can convene all the political parties, then the Congress shall join the meeting and deliberate upon.