Says- Peace, Unity, Development & Progress- BJP’s 2023 poll slogan
State deputy chief minister Y Patton on Tuesday exuded confidence that the NDPP-BJP alliance will win the 2023 assembly elections with a thumping majority.
Speaking to Nagaland Post on the sideline of the campaign launching programme for BJP candidate Renponthung Ezung from 38 Wokha assembly constituency at Longsa village, Patton said that as per the assessment of the alliance partners, the NDPP-BJP combine would win not less than 45 seats and exuded confidence to form the next government smoothly.
To a query about BJP’s 2018 election slogan– ‘Election for solution’ and what was the party’s slogan for the ensuing election, Patton asserted that, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s able leadership, BJP’s slogan for the upcoming Assembly election was “peace, unity, progress and development”.
He also disclosed that Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda and almost all Union ministers would be visiting the State in the coming weeks.
Though initially Modi was scheduled to visit Mon on February 16 for election campaign, he said the date had since been changed and that he was now likely to visit some time before February 20.
Addressing a mammoth gathering at Longsa village, he acknowledged that there were more than 100 party ticket seekers, though majority could not be accommodated due to the seat-sharing arrangement.
He cautioned that even though Ezung received the ticket, it did not ensure him a victory. He thus appealed to villagers to extend their full support to Ezung and elect him so for their welfare.
He admitted that former legislators from 38 AC had done a lot, but stressed that there was still so much to be done more. And for that, he claimed that a responsible person like Ezung was picked to represent the constituency.
Patton asserted that out of the 20 seats from where BJP would be contesting, all efforts would be made to ensure that the party won at least 17-18 seats else, he admitted that it would be a huge embarrassment for the party.
He also declared that the NDPP-BJP coalition would form the next government again and complete the term without any glitch.
Assuring to provide all assistance to develop the constituency if Ezung was voted to power, Patton remarked that the electorate must allow their constituency to shine and set an example for rest of the State to emulate.
He also appealed to party workers and supporters not to be overconfident but come out of their home and participate in the electoral process. He also reiterated to maintaining a peaceful environment and allow the election process to complete peacefully.
In his address, Ezung acknowledged and thanked Patton for securing him the ticket and for the assistance and guidance rendered to him thus far.
He remarked that it was because of the party workers and supporters that he was contesting the election and promised welfare for the people of 38 AC if elected.
Speaking on the occasion, BJP Wokha district president Subenthung Kithan remarked that though the party did not want seat sharing as the party was growing, the central leadership decided in its favour, leading to disappointment among many aspiring candidates from the party.
He however assured that the pre-poll alliance would be maintained and, as BJP had allotted a ticket to Ezung, he urged the electorate not to cause embarrassment and elect Ezung.
P Zubenthung Humtsoe also spoke at the meeting, while welcome address was delivered by Longsa Village Council chairman Ponphyamo Kikon.
