Setting aside all speculations , the PDA constituents (NDPP, BJP and independent legislators) along with NPF on Friday officially resolved to form an all-party government under the name United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and not ‘Nagaland United Government’ as proposed earlier.
The decision was made after a day-long meeting at the State Banquet Hall, at chief minister’s residential complex, Kohima during which, the nomenclature of UDA was proposed by NDPP president Chingwang Konyak and unanimously agreed the house.
The parties later issued a joint resolution signed by NDPP leaders– chief minister Neiphiu Rio and NDPP president Chingwang Konyak ; BJP– deputy CM and BLP leader Y. Patton and state BJP president and minister Temjen Imna Along; NPF– NPFLP leader TR Zeliang and NPF secretary general Achumbemo Kikon and Independent legislator and minister Tongpang Ozukum.
The resolution read: that “the house unanimously resolved to adopt the nomenclature of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for the opposition-less government in Nagaland.” The house also reiterated the joint resolution signed between three parties on August 11 and 13.
It was learnt that BJP informed members present at the meeting about the stand of the party high command, that the status-quo of the present ministry should be maintained. As reported, the state BJP will convey the outcome and resolution of the meeting to the BJP high command. No further details were made known about what was discussed at the meeting.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, minister planning and coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs Neiba Kronu said that the members present at the meeting were briefed about the outcome of chief minister’s meetings with Central BJP leaders in Delhi recently.
Kronu said that the government will formally write to the NLA speaker, and a copy to the governor, for official formation and change in the nomenclature from People’s Democratic Alliance to United Democratic Alliance.
Though NPF had maintained that the party did not set any condition for any portfolio to join the all-party government, Kronu, when asked about it, said that it was prerogative of the chief minister to fill up vacancies, if there were any.
Currently one cabinet post is lying vacant following the demise of senior NDPP member and minister CM Chang.
Reiterating that the coming together of all legislators was to work together to achieve the common goal for early solution to the Naga political issue, he said that the legislators were serious about it and would be meeting the negotiating parties separately.
When asked about fate of the seven suspended NPF legislators, NPF secretary general Achumbemo Kikon said that the party will wait for the decision of the Disciplinary Action Committee.
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