Says BJP should aim for 60 out of 60 seats in 2028 assembly polls
State deputy chief minister Y. Patton gave a clarion call to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators and party workers to gear up for the 2028 assembly elections with the ambition of contesting and winning all 60 assembly constituencies in the state.
Patton was speaking at the BJP Nagaland state executive meeting-cum-organisational workshop (Pradesh Sanghathanatmak Karyashala) at Town Hall, here on Friday.
Patton, who is also BJP legislature party leader, declared that the party should aim to contest all 60 seats in the 2028 assembly elections.
Recalling his earlier push for either an all-seat contest or a 30:30 seat-sharing formula in 2023 elections, Patton stressed that the party must now prepare for a stronger role in state politics. “Even in 2023, I insisted on contesting all 60 seats. Why should BJP restrict itself to 12 seats? Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nagaland should one day see a BJP-led government,” he said.
Reviewing the party’s growth since 2008, when only two BJP candidates were elected, Patton pointed out that BJP won 12 seats in both 2018 and 2023 despite contesting only 20 under the 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement with NDPP.
Questioning how long would such arrangement continue, he said that any increase in seats or a move towards a friendly contest would depend on BJP’s grassroots performance.
Calling upon the party legislators not to limit themselves to their constituencies, he urged them to engage with all 60 assembly segments. “Without working at the grassroots level, contesting 60 seats will have little meaning. Let us not neglect our karyakartas, because it is through their sacrifices that we are here today,” Patton reminded.
Further, Patton appealed for cooperation with BJP state unit president Benjamin Yepthomi, and collective efforts toward increasing seats in 2028.
In his presidential address, BJP state unit president Benjamin Yepthomi described the meeting as a “moment of reflection, renewal, and reaffirmation” of the party’s commitment to serve the people under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He highlighted India’s transformation under Modi, citing reforms in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and youth empowerment. He stressed that Nagaland was not left behind in this growth.
Yepthomi underscored that BJP’s real strength lay in its karyakartas. “Our greatest asset is not wealth or resources, but the tireless dedication of our ordinary workers. The road ahead will not be without challenges, but our mission is to expand BJP’s presence to every village, colony, and household in Nagaland,” he said.
The meeting was attended by BJP leaders including national secretary in-charge of Nagaland and Meghalaya, Anil K Anthony; national general secretary Dushyant Kumar Guatam and national spokesperson Guru Prakash.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by party’s state general secretary Er. Sunep C Jamir, welcome address was delivered by BJP Dimapur district president V Shekishe Achumi, BJP reign (poem) was read out by BJYM state vice president K Chumsheli Anar and special number was presented by Awang Konyak an Micheal Konyak.
Later, vote of thanks was proposed by state spokesperson Chitho Nyusou which was followed by various sessions.