NDPP to get 3 seats, BJP 2 in Dimapur, says CM Neiphiu Rio

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Aug. 26 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday said that as part of 40:20 seat-sharing deal, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) will get three seats and BJP two out of five constituencies in Dimapur.

He said this during the inauguration of NDPP office for Dimapur region at Duncan Bosti.

Speaking at the programme, Rio reiterated that the NDPP-BJP alliance is strong and that the NDPP had given the Rajya Sabha seat to its ally uncontested.

Maintaining that there is no confusion on seat-sharing, he said out of five seats in Dimapur, two — Dimapur I and Gasphani I – will go to BJP and the remaining three — Dimapur II, Dimapur III and Gasphani II – to NDPP.

He said the party had ‘already committed that ticket will be given to the MLA who is representing the constituency,’ and going by that, Moatoshi Longkumer, Azheto Zhimomi and Zhaleo Rio will get tickets.

Rio also congratulated the party for re-organising the office bearers and expressed happiness over the old and new teams coming out with a formula to accommodate each other.

He said the NDPP was handicapped in Dimapur area with no representative in the last election but the joining of Moatoshi Longkumer and Azheto Zhimomi had strengthened its position this time.

The chief minister urged the party workers to conduct workshops at all levels and let the common voters know the actual situation, as some parties that don’t have MLAs in the assembly blindly criticize without any evidence, and to the extent of getting personal.

While stating that it’s not worth replying (to allegations) and stooping so low, he urged the party workers to be firm and strong to their aims, policy and manifesto for the service of the people.

On the Naga political issue, Rio said that they were longing for a solution and would continue to pursue till the last minute, and pave the way if a settlement comes.

The sentiment cannot be fragmented as there is only one Naga and one issue; there will be no separate settlement for Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal and Assam states, he said, adding that based on the competencies agreed by both sides, all the groups (NPGs) will have to come together and sign a settlement that will be for all the Nagas.

However, if solution does not come, as a political party, we have to be prepared to face election whenever the Election Commission announces the poll date, he added.

Longkumer, President of NDPP Chingwang Konyak, and President of Dimapur-II A/C Limawati Imchen also spoke at the event.