No review of NDPP-BJP seat sharing deal: Rio

Amidst discontentment over ticket distribution triggered by the 40:20 seat-sharing deal between NDPP and BJP, both alliance partners have categorically reaffirmed that there was no question of reviewing the 40(NDPP):20 (BJP) seat sharing deal.
This was confirmed by Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, while talking to media persons on the sidelines of 74th Republic Day celebration at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima on Thursday. Rio made it unambiguously clear that there was no question of any change in the agreement since it based on consensus reached between the two parties.
He said “seat sharing has already been decided and there is nothing more to change. We stand by that decision. Everybody was there when the decision was taken and therefore, we will stand by it.”
On the constituencies where the coalition partners would be contesting, Rio said announcement in that regard would be made within this month itself. (Some sources within the NDPP said the allocation of assembly seats to the alliance candidates will be set in motion on January 29.)
Rio also clarified that since the seat-sharing formula was already in place, there was no question of any so-called “friendly contest between NDPP and BJP” as speculated in a section of the local media. He said both alliance partners would help each other in the seats where their candidates were contesting.
Responding to a query over constituent tribes of ENPO issuing diktats to its members to abstain from the election, Rio said simply said he had nothing to say regarding such decisions.
He merely pointed out that a constitutional provision exists to have a government by electing members through a democratic process. He hoped that good sense would prevail.
NDPP-BJP seat sharing final: Jacob
Minister of PHE Jacob Zhimomi reiterated that there will be no question of reviewing seat sharing between NDPP(40) and BJP(20) as decided by leaders of both the two parties.
He said this while talking with reporters on the sidelines of Republic Day celebrations at Dimapur Thursday.
Jacob said he was happy with whatever the central BJP leaders had decided. “We are nobody to decide,” he remarked.
Jacob also said that central BJP leaders had full knowledge of the State and therefore they have formed an alliance with NDPP with Rio at the helm.
Asked about the recent protest held across some parts of Nagaland against the seat-sharing agreement, Jacob replied that it was very natural for anybody to show resentment if something did not happen as per one’s plans.