New Delhi, Aug 03: BJP today distanced itself from a controversial statement by party's Naga leader Hokishe Sema on the issue of Naga unity. "The BJP fully disowns the statement," party spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said about the Naga leader's remarks.

Sema had reportedly said recently that "it is high time that we (the Nagas) decide our future. If Nagas decide to unite who can say no to us."

Referring to examples of Formusa, Korea, East Timor and others, Sema had said that "Nagas should look around at the political scenario of the world." Naqvi said in a statement here that "BJP totally disagrees with the views" expressed by Sema and party president M Venkaiah Naidu "has directed the Nagaland state BJP unit to fully dissociate from Sema's statement."

Bureau Report