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DIMAPUR — Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said that many had sought for the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) ticket in the recent Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, and in some cases, shortlisted candidates were ‘poached’ by other political parties.
The CM was addressing the NDPP’s felicitation ceremony for newly elected councillors from the Chümoukedima Town Council (CTC) and Medziphema Town Council (MTC) at Noune Resort in Chümoukedima.
The party had swept all three municipal councils – Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung – and 13 other town councils, out of 25 ULBs that went to polls in the state last month.
While congratulating both the successful and unsuccessful candidates, Rio encouraged them to maintain their commitment to the party and serve the people through the party platform.
The NDPP party must focus on its ideologies and principles and must maintained its regional character, he said.
Maintaining that the ULBs cannot progress without financial resources for development, he said the councillors should understand that they cannot rely solely on the state and central governments grants, and work towards developing innovative solutions for generating revenue and achieving sustainable development.
He added that seminars and workshops would be organised to equip councillors with insights on how to proceed and effectively manage the municipalities and councils.
Cabinet meeting on July 11
The CM revealed that a cabinet meeting would be held on July 11 to discuss various aspects of ULB formations, including rules, regulations, anti-defection laws, and the possibility of establishing a dedicated ULB directorate.
When asked about the rejection of government nominees for ULB by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) in its jurisdiction, he said that the matter would be discussed at the upcoming cabinet meeting.
Regarding the BJP's request for deputy chairperson positions and government nominee representation in Nagaland's ULBs, Rio said that they would discuss and definitely accommodate if possible.
He further highlighted Dimapur's role as the state's economic hub and its growing importance within the Act East Policy, along with East Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Medziphema. These areas, he said, are going to become the economic hub of Southeast Asian countries
In this connection, he shared about plans for establishing ‘Nagaki’, a proposed ‘global city’ under Medziphema, saying that the government will be acquiring land for the same. Landowners in the area can also lease their land for the project, he said, adding that these activities have the potential for economic benefits and job creation not only in the government sector but also private sector.
In his presidential address, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak attributed the party's Lok Sabha election loss to ‘national and international issues’. However, the ULB success has proven that they people are still with the NDPP, he added.
He urged elected party councillors to abide by the party’s policies and programmes and contribute to the organisation’s strength.
The felicitation ceremony also featured speeches by MLA and Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio; NDPP Secretary General, Abu Metha; CTC Chairman, Lhousito Khro; and MTC Chairman, Abei Thepa.