BJP and NDPP forms pre-poll alliance in Nagaland

Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, who is also BJP's poll in-charge for Nagaland, on Saturday said that BJP and newly formed regional political party NDPP will jointly contest in the assembly polls.

During a press conference held in Guwahati, Rijiju said that seat sharing between BJP and NDPP has already finalized and BJP will contest in 20 seats while NDPP in 40.

Rijiju told media: “We tried to have an alliance with NPF, but we couldn’t come into conclusion with the proper seat sharing arrangement. That is why we couldn’t have any pre-poll alliance with NPF."

"So we have formally intern our alliance with the NDPP and we are very hopeful our alliance BJP and NDPP will secured absolute majority in the coming election we will form the next government," he added.

Rijiju further said that Nagaland is a very sensitive state and the Centre gives special attention and care to the Naga issues.

“We understand and appreciate the sentiments being put forward by the Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hoho and Civil Organisations (CCNTCHOC), we have appealed all one not to boycott election and we are very greatful that major civil society groups have openly come out in support of election,” Rijiju added.

BJP is a partner in the NPF led Democratic Alliance coalition government in Nagaland.

Former Nagaland CM and Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio had recently resigned from NPF and joined the NDPP.

Days ago, 11 political parties including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, NPF, NDPP, Nagaland Congress, AAPN, NDPP, NCP, JD (U), NPP had declared boycott the assembly polls in the state in view of growing demand from the civil society groups, naga outfit NSCN (IM) and Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) to defer the assembly polls, which is schedule on February 27 next.

The political parties had taken decision for boycott the election after NSCN (IM) and the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) asked the politicians of Nagaland not to file nomination.

But in recent development, apart from BJP, ruling NPF, Congress and NDPP have decided to contest in the poll.

On the other hand, no nomination was filed in the past 72 hours in Nagaland after the Election Commissioner had issued election notification in the state on Jan 31 last.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)