Political parties show interest in joining new government in Nagaland; BJP uninterested

Even as the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are expected to form the government in Nagaland after having won 37 seats in the 60-member assembly, other political parties that contested in the recently concluded state general election have expressed interest in joining the alliance.

The NDPP-BJP alliance had repeatedly declared during the election campaigns that it would not include any political parties if it gets the chance to form the new government.

However, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Nagaland Unit president S Richard Humtsoe expressed confidence that the party’s two winning candidates would join the coalition government.

“Definitely we will be part of the ruling (government),” he told Eastern Mirror on Friday, adding that they were awaiting the response from the party’s Central leadership in Delhi and that it is expected soon.

He opined that elected members from other political parties too may want to join the ruling government as “no one wants to be in the opposition”.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which won seven seats, is yet to decide whether or not to join the ruling party.

Sources from NCP had told this newspaper on Friday that they were yet to come up with a decision on its future plan and the parties to align with.

Read: PM Modi to attend swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister, new legislators in Nagaland

“We have not taken a final decision yet, so at the moment, we cannot tell with whom (political party) we will be aligning (with),” said an executive member of NCP.

The Naga People’s Front (NPF), which won two out of 32 seats contested, is also unsure of its next move.

When asked if the party will join the ruling government, NPF president Shürhozelie Liezietsu said: “We don’t know what will be the arrangement.”

“Only when the situation becomes clear, we will think over,” he added.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the polling results, he said “forces were against me”.

“For me, even if I were alone, I will be there as the opposition,” he said.

The former chief minister, however, reiterated that it was too early to comment on whether they should be part of the ruling government.

Kevipodi Sophie, who won from 14-Southern Angami-I assembly constituency and is one of the four winning Independent candidates, said that he wants to join the government.

“I, as an Independent candidate, am not in a position to be in the opposition,” he said.

The other political parties that registered win in the recent election are Janata Dal United, which won a seat; Republican Party of India (Athawale), two seats; and National People’s Party five seats.

Only NDPP-BJP alliance will form govt., says BJP leader

Meanwhile, BJP senior leader Jonny G Rengma told this newspaper on Saturday that the party would stick to its pre-poll alliance agreement with the NDPP and ‘there is no such move in extending invitation to other political parties to join in to form a new government’.

Only NDPP and BJP will stake claim to form the government, he said.

Rengma further affirmed that “there are no differences whatsoever between the NDPP-BJP alliance under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio”.

“We are committed to pre-poll alliance and solidly under Rio, who will remain as our leader,” he added.

When asked about political parties that have expressed willingness to join the next government, he replied that the alliance may not necessarily invite any party but they can extend support to the ruling government to help resolve pressing issues that are confronting the state.

“We are strictly maintaining Lakshman-Rekha of the party,” said Rengma, adding that “they are religiously disciplined to the rules of making alliance”.

Reminding the 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution which is asbout anti-defection law passed by the Parliament, he said ‘nnless the approval comes from the principal political party, an elected member cannot unilaterally decide to join the government’.

Meanwhile, another source from BJP said that they are yet to have a sitting when asked if the alliance is willing to take in other political parties to form an all-party government.

The NDPP spokesperson, when contacted, refrained from giving any comment in regard to the formation of the next government. Kohima, March 4 (EMN)