Nagaland Election 2023: Why BJP's promise for Eastern Nagaland may help the party

The ENPO alleges “negligence” by the government in all aspects of development after 58 years of Nagaland statehood.

As Nagaland heads into polls, the clamour for a separate state in eastern Nagaland has gained momentum.

Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), the umbrella body of seven tribes of eastern Nagaland, has been demanding the creation of a separate 'Frontier Nagaland' for the indigenous people in the state.

The ENPO alleges "negligence" by the government in all aspects of development after 58 years of Nagaland statehood.

It had decided not to participate in any election, including the 2023 assembly poll, till its demand is fulfilled, which was later taken aback.

The statehood demand may affect results in 20 seats in the six eastern districts, where tribals hold considerable clout electorally, in the 60-member House.

Eastern Nagaland comprises six districts -- Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator - which are inhabited by seven tribes of Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir, and Yimkhiung.

With one-third of seats falling in the six districts, the stakes are high for the BJP government in the state, which is aiming for a second-term in the northeastern state.

The call for a separate 'Frontier Nagaland'

The demand was first raised in 2010 by the ENPO, in response to growing factionalism and infighting among tribes in Eastern Nagaland.

They accuse the 'advanced' western tribes as well as the Nagaland government of meting out 'step-motherly treatment' to them, causing the tribes in the east to remain 'backward'.

Even after several decades of being with the Indian union of states as part of Nagaland, the region faces many infrastructural challenges, such as poor road connectivity, lack of electricity, and inadequate healthcare facilities.

The ENPO has been trying to garner the government's attention towards infrastructure in the region and promote development.

The region is home to several indigenous tribes, and there is a demand to protect their culture and traditions. Many people believe that the influx of outsiders and the lack of government support has threatened the traditional way of life of these tribes.

There is also a demand for better political representation and autonomy for the people of Eastern Nagaland.

Overall, the demand for Eastern Nagaland revolves around the need for greater recognition, development, and protection of the region's unique cultural heritage and political identity.

BJP and Frontier Nagaland

The call for a separate 'Frontier Nagaland' has been on BJP's manifesto since 2012. The saffron party had promised to fulfil the demand for a separate "Frontier Nagaland" state of the people of eastern Nagaland after coming to power at the Centre in 2014.

The demand for 'Frontier Nagaland has been burning since then and returns to haunt the party every election, 2023 elections are no exception.

Addressing the issue from poll-bound Nagaland, Amit Shah said "the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has held discussions with ENPO and an 'agreed agreement' has been reached. But we could not materialise it due to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct."

"I promise you all that after the elections, the agreement will be implemented through which all issues of eastern Nagaland will be addressed. There will be massive development in the region and you will get your rights," he said.

In another rally, Shah shared the dais with leaders of Eastern Nagaland People's Organization (ENPO), and said that their demand was "legitimate' and hailed the decision of the body to withdraw their poll boycott call as "strengthening of democracy."

Shah promised that the new BJP-NDPP government will solve all their issues with separate budgetary provisions, and more rights to their councils.