NDPP, Ruling Party in Nagaland, Opposes Proposed Delimitation Exercise

Kohima, March 8, 2020:

Reminding the Government about the ongoing 'Peace Talks' which are on the verge of completion, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has said that the present notification is "not in consonance with the prevailing situation in the state."

The NDPP said that "things may get complicated if the exercise is followed purely on the laid down guidelines on delimitation." The NDPP also appealed the People's Democratic Alliance to urgently take up the matter with the Centre at the earliest and present Nagaland's "unique" case to them so that there are no "misunderstandings" and "complications".

The party also alleged that Nagaland was excluded because of the ongoing peace talks and "population explosion" (as high as 300%) and not because of "insurgency and law and order situation."

"It becomes imperative to first hold widespread consultations taking onboard all tribal bodies, political parties, mass based organizations, NGOs, and all other stakeholders" before delimitation is undertaken, the NDPP said in its communique. The NDPP also stated with another census around the corner (in 2021), "it would be futile to conduct the process of delimitation based on previous population censuses when a new census is to be carried out in the coming month and year."

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Recalling the 2008 postponement of the exercise, the NDPP said that Nagaland was excluded because of political talks on the Naga issue and also because of the opposition to the procedure of the Naga Hoho. Now, the NDPP pointed out, "Naga political talks have reached an advanced stage and the people are only awaiting the possible inking of the final settlement. Also, with the likelihood of an increase in the number of seats in the legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha in the eventuality of a final settlement, it will definitely be in conflict with any delimitation exercise taken up at this juncture."

It may be recalled that the Central government has constituted the delimitation commission for the purpose of delimitation or in other words, readjustment of the Assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Justice (Retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai is the Chairperson of the delimitation commission. Election Commissioner, Sushil Chandra and the Election Commissioners of the States, wherein the delimitation exercise is to be carried out, will be the members of the Commission formed the central government. the Centre has given a nod to the delimitation exercise in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland citing "improvement" in the law and order situation in the states since February, 2008, when the order was deferred.

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