Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio explained that the proposal to continue with the 40:20 seat sharing alliance between BJP and NDPP was made by BJP for two reasons– BJP’s desire to have a regional party lead the government of which it wanted to be a partner and to respect the sentiments of people as Nagaland was a Christian-majority State.
Interacting with the media on the sideline of a public rally for NDPP candidate for 2 Dimapur II assembly constituency Moatoshi Longkumer at Kuda village ground here on Friday, Rio reiterated BJP’s statement that the NDPP-BJP alliance would win with a massive majority and would not need support of elected members from other parties to form the next government.
On rumours that many candidates were contesting with his blessings, he clarified that only the 40 candidates who had received NDPP tickets were official candidates and urged people not to be misguided by false claims made by other candidates. He also appealed the gathering to vote for NDPP candidate Moatoshi Longkumer.
He also took moral responsibility for eight out of 42 NDPP aspirants not being given NDPP tickets for the forthcoming Assembly election. Rio explained that the party does not have a high command system and since it was a grassroots-based party, it had to listen to the wishes of the people.
Speaking on the BJP-NDPP alliance that successfully completed its five-year tenure, he said BJP, as a national party, was going strong under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Admitting that “Change is coming” was not fully successful, he cited Covid-19 pandemic as one reason why the alliance government could not fulfil the slogan.
Rio further informed the gathering that election to urban local bodies (ULBs)in the State would be held soon with 33% reservation for women and that Assembly and Lok Sabha seats would be increased after the delimitation exercise.
Referring to the NDPP manifesto, he assured that the party would emphasise on youth empowerment and sports.
Dwelling on the long-pending Naga political issue, he remarked that Naga solution was still pending since Nagas were not united.
He said the State was unable to generate revenue from its natural resources due to non-resolution of the Naga political issue.
On the encroachment issue on railway land which threatens the future development of Dimapur railway station into a world class station, chief minister Neiphiu Rio said the government plans to either evict encroachers from railway land for the railway station. If this cannot succeed, then he said the government would have to move out the railway station to another place for the convenience of passengers even though he did not specify where it will be shifted to.
He also said the problem of frequent floods in Dimapur could be solved, provided the public stopped obstructing drains, pointing out that the drains had become smaller that led to slower outflow of excess water, resulting in floods.
In his address, Longkumer thanked and acknowledged Rio for showing concern for him and participating in the rally as a star campaigner.
He also highlighted the works carried out by him with Local Area Development Programme (LADP) fund during his tenure as an opposition MLA for nearly four-and-a-half years. He claimed that he tried his best to do everything he could do trough the fund.
Moatoshi also acknowledged Rio for granting sanction for road construction in his constituency.
He said he would focus on two areas – construction of roads in all colonies and eradication of problem faced by educated unemployed youth.
He informed Rio that the Kuda village ground would be turned into a stadium and sought his assistance in this regard.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Kuda village VDB secretary Vikeduo Linyu, invocation offered by BRC, Kuda Village, pastor and welcome address by Kuda village council chairman Vikie Nagi.
Short speeches were also delivered by NDPP Dimapur region president Vihoshe Awomi, NDPP youth wing president Imchatotba, while vote of thanks was delivered by NDPP Dimapur region vice-president Hito Aye.