Request for ULB seat-sharing made in spirit of alliance, says Nagaland Minister Along

DIMAPUR — Addressing recent reports of discontent within the BJP ranks over non allocation of deputy chairperson positions in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, on Tuesday clarified the party’s stance.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a BJP event in Dimapur, Along said that its legislators, on behalf of the party, “have put out an additional request in the spirit of the alliance” to accommodate BJP councillors in deputy chairperson positions.

While this will take time and require further consultations, “we have apprised our central leaders, Chief Minister, state BJP president, and NDPP (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party) president,” the minister said.

He maintained that there is nothing wrong with the People’s Democratic Alliance and the partnership is going “very strong” under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the central leadership.

Earlier during the extended state executive meeting, the BJP Nagaland unit passed several resolutions on various issues.

Among others, the party officially resolved to support the proposal for appointing BJP members as deputy chairpersons in ULBs where both the BJP and NDPP had contested jointly.

It also resolved to support the demand for accommodation of government nominees from the BJP to the respective municipal and town councils, stating that this would contribute to maintaining and enhancing the strength of the PDA.

The party further resolved to support the appointment of one government nominee in the Dimapur Municipal Council from the minority community.

Beyond immediate political considerations, the BJP Nagaland unit also resolved to hold its next state executive meeting at Tuensang headquarters in November 2024, followed by another one at Noklak headquarters in April 2025.

Further, the party passed a resolution urging the government of India and the negotiating parties to expedite an early, inclusive, and honourable solution the Naga political issue, stating that it would positively facilitate the process of all round development and economic uplift of the state.