Guwahati, March 21: The Nagaland government will hold consultations at the "right time" with all stakeholders to resolve issues related to the urban local body polls resulting in the resignation of T.R. Zeliang as chief minister in February.
The announcement was made by governor P.B. Acharya while addressing the Assembly in Kohima on the first day of the budget session. He said talks will be held with all stakeholders, including civil societies and tribal organisations, to arrive at a consensus on civic polls and related matters at the right time.
The session, which will continue till March 30, assumes importance as chief minister Shürhozelie Liezeitsu, who replaced Zeliang last month, will table the budget on March 28, the last before the Assembly elections early next year.
In his speech, Acharya, who also holds additional charge of Arunachal Pradesh, admitted the "various problems" faced by the NPF-led government in conducting the February 1 civic polls in the state, leading to violence and the elections eventually being declared null and void.
Acharya did not refer to the issue of 33 per cent reservation for women in the urban local bodies but it was the sustained opposition to the quota which derailed the move to hold the polls.
Protests against the polls with reservation peaked on January 31 with the death of two protesters in Dimapur. The burning down of government properties in Kohima and the indefinite strike eventually saw Zeliang quit his post.
Leading women's organisations continue to back the civic elections with quota, challenging the opposition as a big letdown.
The governor also said the government will support the ongoing political dialogue between the Centre and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and would continue to strive to work for a final solution to the more than six decades-old Naga political issue in a "peaceful, inclusive and honourable manner".
Imtiwapang Aier of the NPF was elected unopposed as Speaker this morning. Aier was earlier the parliamentary secretary for geology and mining. He hails from Sungratsu village in Mokokchung district and represents Impur Assembly constituency.
