The Centre and the Naga underground group leaders have been making steady progress to reach an early settlement to the Naga political issue, BJP North East In-charge Ram Madhav said Saturday. Any settlement involves not only Nagaland but neighbouring states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as well, he said.

"The ongoing negotiations are at an advanced stage. We are hopeful that a solution will be achieved soon," he said. Solution should be acceptable and satisfactory to all of them, he said while interacting with mediapersons at the Heliport here. Asked if "advanced stage" could be another slogan for the BJP for the upcoming Parliamentary elections, he said it is true that the discussions are at an advanced stage but it also takes time to find a permanent solution that is acceptable to all.