NDPP thanks Nagaland citizens as PDA completes 3 years in office

Dimapur, March 8 (EMN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) thanked God as well as conveyed gratitude to the public as People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) coalition government completed three years in office on Monday.

Through a press statement, the party said that it would not be possible for the incumbent government to run the affairs of the state smoothly all these years without the immense support of various tribal hohos, civil society organisations, NGOs and the citizens of Nagaland.

The NDPP also extended its gratitude to its allies — Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and an Independent – for their unwavering support towards the visions and commitments of the PDA government.

 “It is our firm belief that this partnership will only grow from strength to strength and will continue to carry forward the dreams and aspirations of the people. The PDA government under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Mr. Neiphiu Rio must be lauded and commended for having steered the state despite the many difficulties involved especially during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic,” read the statement.

While acknowledging the decision of the coalition not to hold any event to mark the occasion in view of the ongoing pandemic and to support austerity drive of the state government, the NDPP extended its support to the PDA government.

 “The NDPP also stands firm in our commitment to provide development and progress to the people in consonance with our slogan ‘Development for all; together with all!,’ the press statement read.

The PDA coalition consisting of 18 NDPP legislators, 12 from BJP, two from NPP and one each from Janata Dal (United) and an Independent formed the government after the state’s assembly elections in 2018 threw up a hung verdict. The Naga People’s Front (NPF), which severed its ties with the BJP ahead of the election, couldn’t retain power despite emerging as single largest party winning 26 seats in the 60-member assembly.

The number equation has changed after the bye-elections last year as NDPP has 20 legislators today, BJP-12, NPF-25 and Independent-2, while one seat is currently lying vacant following the death of former minister CM Chang on October 12, last year.