Opposition-less government in Nagaland? NPF decides to join People's Democratic Alliance

Reyivolü Rhakho
Kohima, July 19 (EMN): In a major political development in Nagaland, opposition party Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Monday decided to ally with the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

The NPF decided to join the ruling PDA government after a daylong discussion in Dimapur on July 19.

Confirming this to Eastern Mirror, NPF MLA Imkong L Imchen said: “We (NPF) are joining the PDA in the form of coalition.”

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“We (NPF) have decided to propose for an opposition-less government,” Imchen said, adding that the agenda had been there for the last one week.

When asked for the reason to join the ruling government, the legislator said it was because of the “Naga political issue”. He stated that PDA and NPF are “on the same page (when it comes to Naga political issue)”.

The NPF was of the view that it is “imperative to have the common platform” towards Naga political issue, Imchen added.

Since the decision was taken on Monday, the NPF is yet to receive a reply from the PDA government on the proposal, he said, adding that the party would be waiting for the state government’s response.

The NPF party, besides deciding to join the PDA government, had a long deliberation on the Naga political issue during the meeting, Imchen added.

It may be mentioned that NPF is still the single largest party in the 60-member legislative assembly with 25 MLAs despite in the opposition, while Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has 20 legislators, BJP 12 and two Independents.

The Shamator Chessore Assembly Constituency is currently vacant after the demise of NDPP legislator Toshi Wungtung earlier this month.