New Delhi, July 18: Days before the peace talks between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and the Centre begin here, Goa Governor and former Nagaland chief minister S.C. Jamir told college students that the “alien” English word, sovereignty”, was the main hurdle in the dialogue between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M).
Sources said Jamir may be inducted into the cabinet during the next reshuffle, which is likely after the monsoon session, or brought within the Congress’ organisational structure.
Sources added that Jamir would visit Nagaland to enhance the Congress’ prospects of wresting power in the next elections. “But he does not wish to contest the polls,” said a source.
Jamir’s decision may make many in the militant groups and the Congress in Nagaland happy. But the politician in Jamir may not sit quietly in Delhi.
If he can be “sold” to the NSCN (I-M) as an able mediator who understands the Naga issue — the militant outfit hates Jamir and is accused of attempting to assassinate him thrice while he was chief minister — by the Centre, things could change for the Nagas.
Observers here said it is due to a dual resolve of finding a permanent solution to the Naga problem and utilising the senior Congressman’s political acumen that Jamir may be brought to Delhi.
Close aides of the governor refused to comment on the matter but indicated that “Jamir is a politician forever”.
The former chief minister addressed students of the Ao and Tangkhul Naga communities in Delhi as the chief guest at Kirorimal College here.
“We feel a sense of acute restlessness, as if there is a vacuum in our souls, as if something very important is missing. When we think about India, that feeling of closeness or common identity is not as strong as it should be. The feeling is of ‘we’ and ‘they’, not of ‘us’. There is some mental block, some psychological hurdle, which prevents Indian nationalism or ‘Indianness’ from taking roots in the region,” Jamir was quoted as saying in a press release from his office.
Jamir is an Ao while NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah is a Tangkhul Naga.
