Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang asserts NDPP’s autonomy in alliance with BJP

KOHIMA — Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang on Friday said that there is nothing wrong for a regional party like the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) to forge an alliance with a national party like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing the dependency of small states like Nagaland on the party that is in power at the Centre, be it in the past or present.

He was addressing an election campaign for People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) consensus candidate Dr. Chumben Murry at Northern Zeme Council Hall in Ngalwa Town under Peren district.

The deputy CM Zeliang maintained that NDPP is not BJP and BJP is not NDPP. While the BJP may have its own ideologies and manifestoes, NDPP is a regional party established to safeguard the interest of the Naga people, he asserted.

On forging alliance with BJP

The NDPP is in alliance with the BJP primarily for two reasons — for development and protection of our rights, and to bring the Indo-Naga political issue to its logical conclusion — he added.

He also asserted the need to maintain a cordial relationship with the Centre, as a small state like Nagaland can neither bring solution nor progress in development activities.

“We have 24 nationalist factions which is adversely affecting our economy. If we are not serious to unite and resolve this protracted Naga political issue, our posterity will never forgive us,” he said.

Stance on CAA, UCC, FMR

Meanwhile, he said that being coalition partners, all 60 MLAs stood by the aspiration of the Nagas in the matter of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and fought against it; the Act won’t be applicable in Nagaland following an amendment made by the Parliament.

The Nagaland Legislative Assembly had adopted resolutions against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and suspension of Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border, he said.

TR Zeliang also said revealed that NLA had discussed on the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practises Bill, 2024 and entrusted Nagaland BJP leaders to meet the Assam Chief Minister and urge him to reconsider the stand taken and the same was agreed by state BJP leadership.

‘We have consensus in such contentious issues because all the 60 MLAs are Christians and we will continue to pursue such matters which confront our society,’ he assured.

On Naga political issue

The government of India should not be squarely blamed for the delay in striking a solution to the Naga political issue, said the deputy CM, while highlighting the need for the people to introspect, retrospect and look at their own shortcomings, be it the fragmented NGOs or disunity among the multi-nationalist groups.

The elected representatives are united and we have come together and established an opposition-less government in Nagaland for the sake of the Naga political problem and its early solution, he said while pointing out that 60 elected members alone cannot bring Naga solution unless people shed their differences and come together with one voice for one solution that is acceptable with the spirit of inclusiveness.

He also took a jibe at the Congress, accusing it of not taking up developmental works and infrastructure like road, medical college and others in the state during its regime, while highlighting various development initiatives being undertaken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dignitaries including Neiba Ndang, Advisor CEB and Convenor Election Committee Peren Region; Namsilung, President, BJP Peren District; Akua Iheilung, President NPF Peren division; and Kiebui, Secretary NDPP 7th Peren AC also spoke during the occasion.

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