BJP national spokesperson and in-charge of Nagaland Nalin Kohli on Thursday categorically stated that the seat sharing formula between NDPP (40) and BJP (20) has been “finalised” and the decision to continue the alliance was taken by the Central leadership. While acknowledging that in a democratic party everyone had the right to express their views, Kohli, reiterated that as the NDPP-BJP coalition was successful, the BJP was committed to the seat sharing pact. Talking to media persons here on Thursday evening, Kohli said BJP was committed to serve the people of Nagaland and will continue the good work as a “double engine government, with Modi in Centre and coalition government in Nagaland”. “We are a party with national commitment and we understand regionally also that we need to make it as strong and make it an engine of growth, and that is our agenda,” he stated.
Kohli also said that with NDPP-BJP government, Nagaland witnessed significant development and the BJP wished to continue to work together. He maintained that even if allies snap ties with BJP, the party has a history of loyalty to its alliance partners.
On ENPO’s demand for separate state, Kohli said the party will deliberate on the issue at different levels including at the State party leadership.
On Naga political issue and BJP’s ‘election for solution’ slogan in 2018, Kohli said since the matter was at government level and not party level, he did not wish to comment on it.
When asked whether elections would be held as scheduled, Kohli said it was for the Election Commission to take a call on whether or not to conduct of Assembly elections.
State BJP clarifies: Reacting to various reports about BJP national president JP Nadda’s visit to churches in Kohima, State BJP has clarified that the BJP president will be visiting Catholic Cathedral church and no other churches. According to the party, the tentative itinerary of Nadda’s visit was inadvertently “leaked”, wherein it was mentioned that the BJP chief would be visiting Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo (KABA).
However, since KABA was already pre-occupied with other programs and conveyed its inability, the party acknowledged the same.
While expressing regret, the party took note of some “unscrupulous elements” trying to defame both the BJP and the Church by dragging its name.