Janata Dal United (JDU) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP-RV) have announced their decision to contest the upcoming urban local body (ULB) elections in the state scheduled on June 26. The decision comes despite both the parties supporting the Neiphiu Rio-led opposition-less government in the state.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, JD(U) state unit president NSN Lotha disclosed that the party had received the nod from its high command to contest the elections. Although the numbers of candidates were yet to be finalised, he assured that the party would field only serious candidates committed to making a difference.
“We are not participating just for the sake of it. We want to ensure that the candidates we field are genuinely dedicated to serving the public and capable of winning,” he affirmed. He expressed the hope to get serious candidates from Wokha, Kohima and Dimapur. When asked about the inclusion of women candidates, Lotha said that a number of women ticket aspirants, especially from Tseminyu, have shown interest in running under the JD(U) banner.
Explaining the apparent contradiction of contesting the elections while supporting the Rio-led opposition-less government, he stated that JD(U) was expecting the government to come up with a strategy and understanding, wherein an all-party understanding would be reached for the election.
He, however, regretted that the NDPP and BJP did not have any interest to create a conducive environment where the ULB election could be a party-less election. Since there was no clear arrangement between parties, and since the party felt that it was already late, Lotha said the party decided to contest the civic body elections after receiving the nod from its high command.
He admitted that with just one MLA, the JDU had no power to influence the major political parties in the opposition-less government. Regarding setting up of candidates in the ENPO area, he said that the party respected the sentiments of the peopled and would not field candidates there. “We honour the wishes of the Naga people and will refrain from contesting in the ENPO area,” he pointed out.
LJP (RV): Meanwhile, LJP (RV) state working president Viloto Pukhato also confirmed his party’s decision to participate in the upcoming ULB elections, adding that they had received green signal from the party high command to participate in the polls.
He said that LJP (RV) intended to field candidates in all assembly constituencies where it had contested during the assembly elections, ensuring equal focus for all regions. On fielding women candidates, he said while the exact number was still uncertain, several women had expressed their desire to contest under the party’s banner, adding that the party was currently screening these candidates.
On contesting the ULB elections despite LJP (RV) supporting the opposition-less government, Pukhato said that the decision to contest the elections was taken at the meeting held at Tourist Lodge here on Saturday after receiving the go-ahead from the party high command.
He also admitted that there was uncertainty within the BJP and NDPP regarding seat-sharing for the ULB elections.
JDU calls for creating conducive atmosphere Meanwhile, while announcing its intention to contest the ULB election, the JDU in a communiquécalled upon the people and authorities concerned to create a conducive atmosphere for ensuring conduct of free and fair elections to provide equal playing field for one and all.
The party also called upon all candidates and political parties to facilitate an environmentushering conscience voting in the minds of the electorate, rather than being swayed away by false promises and material gains. The JDU stated that it would enter the fray depending on the availability of capable candidates in the various ULBs.