Municipalities and towns councils to be set up in few days, says Neiphiu Rio

Says relation with BJP ‘normal and strong’

KOHIMA — Amidst ongoing speculation surrounding the formation of municipal and town councils and the status of the NDPP-BJP alliance, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio addressed journalists in Kohima on Wednesday.

Rio confirmed that the establishment of municipal and town councils is imminent, stating that the process will be finalised within a few days, possibly as early as Thursday or Friday. Discussions regarding the formation of the councils are ongoing, he said.

When questioned about the possibility of women chairing these councils, he said that the matter is under discussion, expressing confidence in the capabilities of the newly elected women councillors.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an NDPP event, Rio maintained that relations between the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are ‘normal and strong’.

While speculation persists about a rift in the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) following their Lok Sabha election defeat and independent runs in the recent urban local body election, Rio declined to comment further. Instead, he pointed out that the alliance’s status had been addressed in a recent joint statement from government spokespersons and ministers KG Kenye and Temjen Imna Along.

It may be noted that earlier at the event, Rio claimed that the NDPP, as a partner to the BJP, had suffered defeat as a result of the anti-Christian sentiments and activities in Manipur and the passing of the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, which was opposed by the party.