Nagaland BJP president Benjamin Yepthomi has strongly backed former Chief Minister Dr SC Jamir’s position on the Naga political issue, asserting that political affiliations should not come in the way of speaking what one believes to be the truth.
Reacting to the ongoing controversy over remarks questioning Jamir’s mandate to speak on the Naga political issue, Yepthomi said he had no hesitation in supporting the veteran leader despite Jamir’s Congress background and his own affiliation with the BJP.
“When he is right, he is right. When he is wrong, he is wrong,” Yepthomi said, stressing that his position was based on the particular issue and not political considerations.
Referring to the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the BJP president claimed that many legislators who privately believe Jamir was right were hesitant to say so publicly.
“Out of the 60 members of the Assembly, whoever said that the old man is not right, I know that in that 60 House, 70% of them know that Jamir is right. But they cannot say it,” he claimed.
Yepthomi questioned why elected representatives should be afraid to speak their minds and urged politicians to stand by what they believe is the truth.
“They should not be scared. Scared of whom? We all have to die someday. We are not going to be alive forever,” he said, calling for greater courage among political leaders to speak openly on contentious issues.
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The BJP leader also extended his support to the Ao Senden and Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) in the ongoing debate, saying he appreciated their position that no individual or organisation should claim exclusive ownership over the right to discuss the political future of the Naga people.
The controversy intensified following remarks by NSCN (IM) leaders VS Atem and RH Raising questioning Jamir’s mandate to speak on the Naga political issue. The Ao Senden subsequently condemned the remarks and sought their retraction within 15 days.
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Yepthomi said he was prepared to engage with the Ao Senden on the issue and maintained that he would not tailor his position out of concern that it might upset one Naga political group or another.
“If I say this, NSCN (IM) will feel bad about me. If I support this, the unification group will feel bad about me. Forget about all this,” he said, adding that no faction should control an individual’s right to express an opinion.
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“I want all tribes to support the old man,” Yepthomi said, referring to Jamir, and urged Naga politicians across party lines to speak openly on the issue.
He also claimed that even sections of the media were reluctant to openly state their views because of fear.
“Media people out there, you are all scared to say that Mr Jamir is right. Because you are scared to speak the truth,” he said.
At the same time, Yepthomi clarified that his remarks should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Jamir’s entire political record. He acknowledged that the former Chief Minister, like any other leader, was not perfect and may have made mistakes during his tenure.
“I am not saying the old man is perfect. We are all imperfect,” he said, adding that he was speaking specifically on the question of Jamir’s right to comment on the Naga political issue.
Yepthomi also declined to comment on the personal differences between Jamir and NPF leader and MLA Achumbemo Kikon, saying he would not enter into their individual matters.
