All In Government, Unanimously: Why Nagaland Doesn't Have An Opposition Anymore

In an all-party meet in Kohima, chaired by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, all legislators including the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Naga People's Front (NPF), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and independents unanimously passed a resolution on Saturday (18 September), to adopt an "opposition-less" government, thereby taking on the new nomenclature United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

"The nomenclature of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for the Opposition-less Government in Nagaland has been unanimously resolved by the legislators and Party leaders of the NDPP, BJP, NPF and Independent MLAs", tweeted CM Rio.

The house unanimously resolved to reiterate the joint resolution signed between the three parties (NDPP, BJP and NPF) on the eleventh and thirteenth of August, respectively.

MLAs to write a letter to Speaker of the Assembly

Nagaland government spokesperson Neeba Kronu informed that the MLAs, in the next few days, will write a letter to the Speaker of Nagaland Assembly requesting for the formation of the UDA.

Earlier it was announced that the new government would be called the Nagaland United Government, but in the meeting held on Saturday (18 September), the nomenclature United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was agreed upon.

Proposal brought to resolve Naga issues

In fact, on 19 July, the main opposition NPF, without any preconditions, moved a resolution in the Assembly to form an all-party government, and the Chief Minister was requested to consider it. The resolution was aimed at solving the long-pending political issues of Nagaland.

Initially, the BJP was reluctant to consider this proposition, but their alliance partner NDPP appreciated the NPF's willingness to end the deadlock on many pertinent issues through an all-party government. Eventually, CM Rio, taking the BJP's central leadership into confidence, accepted the proposal.

A common minimum program has been drawn up, which suits all the parties. The recently concluded session of the Nagaland Assembly has unanimously adopted a five-point resolution, reports News18.

Parliamentary Committee to be set up

The Nagaland government, on 11 June, announced that a parliamentary committee would be constituted, comprising 60 state legislators and two MPs, who will facilitate the resolution of the crisis in the region.

The UDA will request the Government of India to find an amicable solution to the Naga insurgency and other such issues at the earliest to ensure peace and stability in the region.

PM Modi's initiative of "insurgency free and prosperous Northeast"

The Ministry of Home Affairs, on 8 September 2021, signed a ceasefire agreement for one year with the Naga insurgent group NSC-N led by Niki Sumi, who was the prime accused in the killing of 18 Indian Army soldiers in Manipur in 2018.

With this, more than 200 cadres of this group have surrendered with 83 weapons. The ceasefire agreement is a significant step in the Naga peace process and making the Northeast insurgency-free.

Thus, in the run-up to the much-awaited Naga Peace Accord and Naga Peace Settlement, the decision to form an opposition-less government in Nagaland was finalised, which could prove to be a milestone in figuring out the permanent solution for an "insurgency free and prosperous Northeast".