New Delhi, Jan. 8: Cashing in on the rapport the NDA government has struck with the NSCN(I-M), the BJP has announced plans for a Democratic Alliance of Nagaland in a desperate bid to open its account in the Christian-dominated Nagaland and take on the might of the Congress there. The main election plank of the alliance will be to facilitate the peace talks with the insurgent organisation.
While the BJP and the Centre have managed to “befriend” the NSCN (I-M), the S.C. Jamir-led Congress government is reportedly being backed by the Khaplang faction of the NSCN.
The Khaplang faction today warned the NSCN (I-M) against “attempting to participate in the coming Assembly elections in Nagaland, either directly or indirectly”.
The proposed anti-Congress front will comprise the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Samata Party, the Janata Dal (United) and the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF).
BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu and a delegation of the NPF had talks with defence minister and Samata Party president George Fernandes today to work out an electoral strategy for the hill state. Sources said Naidu has had talks with NCP leader P.A. Sangma, who is the chief architect of the proposed anti-Congress front.
The meeting discussed plans for a common minimum programme, which will include support for the peace talks, economic revival of Nagaland and corruption.
Sources said Naidu is likely to place a draft of the programme and a blueprint of the electoral strategy before the BJP central election committee meeting tomorrow.
At least 12 Union ministers belonging to the BJP have been drafted for campaign in the Northeast, where three states are going to polls next month.
BJP leader and Union minister Bijoya Chakraborty, NPF leader N. Rio, who had quit as home minister from the Jamir government two months ago, former Lok Sabha MP Imcha Lamba and Samata Party general secretary Shambu Shrivastava were present at the meeting held at Fernandes’ residence. The NPF general secretary, its vice-president and former state minister K. Theri were also present in today’s meeting.
Sources said the BJP is keen on using Sangma and Fernandes, both prominent Christian leaders, to garner support of the Naga people for the proposed alliance.