Imphal, January 04: Welcoming the scheduled arrival of the NSCN(I-M) leadership in India, the ruling Congress in Nagaland today said it was willing to relinquish office if required for an honorable settlement of the Naga political problem.

"At this critical juncture, the party, therefore, reiterates its declared stand that as and when any honorable and acceptable solution is arrived at, we are prepared to lay down offices for smooth transition to a new arrangement," the NPCC Working President Hoketo Sumi said here in a statement.

The Political Committee of NPCC yesterday reviewed the political situation in the State and maintained that the NSCN(I-M) leadership coming to India was a welcome step towards progress in the Naga peace process, he said.

NSCN(I-M) Chairman Issac Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th Muivah are to arrive in New Delhi on January eight to hold political talks with Prime Minister AB Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani the next day.

The NPCC meeting felt that while working out a political framework on the basis of substantive issues of the talks, the views and opinions of all sections of the Naga community should be sought.

Any settlement without unanimity might negate the efforts of leaders on both sides.

The State Congress also appealed that all concerned parties approach the issue with "an open mind and without any prejudice" in the larger interest of the people of Nagaland.