DIMAPUR, JUNE 2: Seven independent legislators and four Bharatiya Janata Party legislators have declared their support to the Naga People’s Front-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (NPF-DAN) government. The two groups issued separate press statements on Thursday expressing confidence in the NPF’s leadership and chief minister TR Zeliang.
The independents and the BJP legislators informed to have ‘adopted resolutions’ during separate occasions. The independents are Levi Rengma, Picto, N. Jacob Zhimomi, Amenba Yaden, YM Yollow, Chuba Longkumer and Toyang Changkong Chang.
The BJP legislators are P. Paiwang Konyak, Imtilemba Sangtam, Dr TM Lotha and Mmhonlumo Kikon.
The Independent MLAs informed to have met on June 2, following which they decided on the resolutions.
“We, the Independent MLAs of the current Nagaland Legislative Assembly, resolve to reiterate our unwavering support to the leadership of Shri TR Zeliang, honorable chief minister of Nagaland,” the statement from the independents stated.
“As independent MLAs we are not bound by any political party’s constitution, and we shall not comment on the suspension or show-cause notices served to members of the NPF since the happenings or developments in any political party have nothing to do with us.”
Nonetheless, the group appealed to “the variant groups within the NPF to sink their differences, if any,” so that the party would not be weakened in any manner, “which would naturally strengthen the NPF-led DAN government.”
In the words of the seven MLAs: “It is the choice and prerogative of any Independent MLA to choose whom to support or go against. And we, the below-mentioned Independent MLAs, on our own volition considering that the present leadership is determined to bring all-round development in the state against all odds; and is definitely in a position to provide a stable Government to the people, extend our full support to his leadership as was decided ever since the former chief minister Shri Neiphiu Rio decided to demit office and go to the parliament.”
The seven have appealed against creating “any hurdle for the smooth continuance” of the present government.
The independents also put in the compulsory statement about the Naga political issue. “We also resolve to continue to extend our full support to the on-going political talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) and the Framework Agreement, and as decided by the Parliamentary Working Committee headed by the honorable Speaker of the Assembly and the chief minister, we shall continue to strive for an early political settlement to the protracted Naga political problem which is honourable and acceptable to all Nagas.”
BJP
The state’s BJP Legislature Party, also informed to have met on June 2 in Kohima town following which a number of resolutions were undertaken.
The first resolution iterated “full support to the DAN government headed by Shri TR Zeliang, honorable chief minister of Nagaland; and to render our best to strengthen the pre-poll alliance partnership of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland which was formed in 2003, so that the DAN partners can return to power in the state after 2018.” The BJP legislators have appealed to the NPF leadership to extend support to the North East Democratic Alliance that was floated recently at Guwahati. It will “strengthen the NDA government in these parts of the country,” the four stated.
The BJP legislators also expressed gratitude to the NPF “for going all out in support of the BJP party in the recently held elections in Assam.”
