Dimapur, May 2 (EMN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has welcomed 21 Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislators led by former chief minister and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chairman TR Zeliang to the party.
In a major political development, 21 NPF MLAs joined the NDPP on April 29, leaving the party with only four legislators — Khriehu Liezietsu, Kuzholuzo Nienu, Kezhienyi Khalo and Dr. Nganshi K Ao.
In a press statement, the NDPP said that the move will further enhance the stability of the government as well as facilitate the growth and development of the state. It added that the increase in the number of legislators will strengthen the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and party president Chingwang Konyak.
The party also reaffirmed its commitment to continue pre-poll alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“The NDPP also puts on record our commitment with our alliance partner BJP to continue and uphold the spirit of the alliance and adhere to our collective commitments as we did in the election of the Rajya Sabha seat recently. We remain unwavering in our pre-poll commitments and alliance with the BJP and assure the people that the recent development does not in any way undermine our continued alliance, but in fact, strengthens the alliance, providing more stability to our government,” read the press statement.
“We also continue to remain steadfast in our role as facilitators to the Indo-Naga talks and with the recent positive development; we believe that our role has been further strengthened,” it added.
The party also welcomed the decision of the NPF to continue in the UDA coalition after the political development last week.
“The state government has included the NPF in the allocation of Chairpersons of District Planning and Development Boards and we look forward to working in close co-ordination in upholding regional concerns in a collective manner,” it stated, while assuring to work “with all stakeholders of the UDA in the greater interest of the people and in our collective aspirating to achieve genuine peace and all round development”.
“As we march on ahead with our commitment of meritocracy, transparency, accountability and good governance, our doors continue to remain open, welcoming anyone who wants to join us under the banner of ‘Facta nonVerba; Deeds not Words’” it added.
