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Nagaland Election 2023: NDPP-BJP alliance going strong; will form next govt., says Rio
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance has been going strong since 2018 and will form the next government.
Addressing a public rally of the NDPP Pughoboto region at the local ground of Pughoboto town ahead of the upcoming state Assembly election, Rio told the gathering not to have confusions on the formation of the new government, alliance and leadership.
While maintaining that a stable government and strong regional partnership with the BJP is needed, he said the BJP high command has regard for him and his party, respecting the sentiments of the Nagas and its movement; realising the fact that Nagaland, a Christian state, has entered into an alliance.
He said the present ruling dispensation recognises the uniqueness of the Nagas, and accordingly the BJP had settled for a 40:20 seat-sharing deal.
Speaking about the NDPP, he said it is a new party that is regional in character, national in outlook and with global prospect to pursue. He added that the party stands for the protection of the regional aspirations and Naga identity.
Pughoboto is a regional stronghold and a regional constituency, he said while expressing hope that the electorates will elect the sitting MLA Vikheho Swu so that he can be in the ruling government, unlike in the past where he was in the opposition for so long.
He urged the gathering to seize the opportunity, saying that Pughoboto seat was given to the NDPP despite BJP aspirants seeking ticket from the constituency, on the hope that the people will not fail Vikheho Swu.
‘14th NLA will take crucial decisions for Nagas’
The chief minister said the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (next government) will take crucial decisions for the Nagas, citing the NSCN (IM) and the WC-NNPG coming to a common understanding for the resolution of the protracted Naga political issue. He also sounded bugle for unity of the Nagas and self respect.
On the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) withdrawing its earlier decision to abstain from taking part in the electoral process, over statehood demand, Rio lauded the move while highlighting the steps taken by the state government on matter. He said the state had formed a committee and subsequently recommended an autonomous council, realising the deficiency of development in the region.
On this, he said the new government will take crucial decisions in the best interest of the people from the region.
Rio said the 60-member house (NLA) haven’t not had even a single issue with regard to integration of all Naga-inhabited areas and had unanimously passed the sixth resolution in the Assembly. He added that the government is against the division of the state — re-dividing and disintegrating of the state — but the new house will resolve the developmental gap.
Mentioning that the impending census and delimitation will take place soon, he said ‘delimitation should be done justly unlike the last time in order to deliver justice to all’.
He also said that post solution of the Naga political issue, the number of legislative assembly seats will be increased by 20 as disclosed by the Centre, while the number of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats will be increased to three each from the present two (one seat each).
ULB and reservation for women
Rio stressed on the need to conduct urban local bodies (ULBs) election with reservation for women, saying that Naga women are going better than their male counterparts in education and even in business but not in politics.
Maintaining that the NDPP stands for women empowerment and gender equality, he said the party has also given two tickets to women candidates with the confidence that they will create history by winning the election and make it to the NLA.
There will be reservation for women in even in urban local bodies, municipal, and town council, he added.
The chief minister said the NDPP coined the slogan ‘Change is coming’ in the previous state Assembly election and had worked towards development of the state, especially in road sector, though might not be up to desired level. The government is also working towards e-governance and computerisation, while Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) was implemented to advocate meritocracy and transparency towards excellence, he added.
Expressing concern over the supporters of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) reportedly taking the name of the BJP to confuse the electorates in Pughoboto, he assured that he will take up the matter with the leadership of the BJP.
Further, he urged the people of the state to avail the Chief Minister Microfinance Initiative (CMMFI) scheme and Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS).
He informed that Kohima will be hosting a G20 event in the first week of April this year, bringing big and powerful countries to the state capital. Two surveys have been completed for the holding of the event.
Towards transforming Pughoboto
In his speech, the sitting MLA and NDPP candidate, Vikheho Swu, hailed the leadership of Neiphiu Rio, saying that he is the best leader in the country.
He said the NDPP ticket was not only given to Vikheho but to the people of Pughoboto constituency so that their representative can be in the ruling government.
He also shared his vision of transforming Pughoboto into the best constituency in the state.
Alliance with only NDPP, says BJP
Meanwhile, BJP Nagaland chief spokesperson, Kuputo Shohe told the gathering that people should not be confused about political alliance in the state. ‘There is no other pre-poll or post-poll alliance for the BJP except with the NDPP,’ he added.
He also highlighted various initiatives and development activities being taken up in the country and the state by the central government.
The public rally in Pughoboto was also attended by Nieba Kronu, Minister for Planning and Coordination, and several other NDPP leaders.
Also read: BJP belittled Naga people’s aspiration, says Congress ahead of Nagaland Assembly election
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