The North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) has given a fillip to regional political parties who hitherto were cocooned in their respective states. A common regional political platform is a much needed model for the North Eastern states because our destinies are connected. We can change our friends but not our neighbours. Meghalaya and Assam cannot grow separately. Nor can Assam and Nagaland be at loggerheads constantly. If the people of Nagaland are talking of a shared sovereignty with the Indian nation then the North East needs a shared vision for overall development particularly in road connectivity and tourism. Tourists are best teachers of how an inter-state circuit works. They would want to do as many circuits within the shortest possible time. If road connectivity is poor and infrastructure is wanting and if any of the eight states turns into a rogue state that calls a bandh at the drop of a hat, then all plans of a robust tourism network are pulverized. Hence Assam’s intent to pass a law against bandhs and strikes must be emulated by all.
NEDA could also become a conflict resolution platform and help resolve the protracted and contentious border conflicts between states (Assam- Meghalaya, Assam-Nagaland) without turning the issue into a political football match involving huge egos. Then there are states like Manipur where differences between the people living in the valley and those in the hills seem insurmountable. Here too the NEDA could become provide a platform not just for political parties but also for civil societies from both sides of the divide to come together, start conversations with each other and thrash out issues in a spirit of give and take. It has oft been stated that we cannot leave important issues to politicians only for they have the propensity to foul up rather than resolve issues. Indeed the NEDA has huge possibilities for the region but one hopes that its vision is larger than just vote-capturing and politicking. Such a narrow vision would fail the aspirations of the people of the North East. And those who join the NEDA must themselves spell out this broader, more inclusive vision for the region. In the North East we must swim together or we will sink separately.
