With the April 9 by-election to the 28 Koridang assembly constituency approaching, senior leaders of the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) on Monday asserted that the coalition remains “intact and strong”, despite questions over the absence of top NPF leaders in the BJP candidate’s campaign.
Speaking to media persons at Dimapur Airport, chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio clarified that his party had not fielded a candidate in the by-poll and has instead deputed ministers, MLAs, and party leaders to campaign across the constituency in support of the PDA consensus candidate.
“We have not set up our candidate and we have deputed our ministers, MLAs, and party leaders to go to all the constituencies and the villages,” Rio said.
When asked about the apparent absence of senior NPF leaders in the campaign, deputy chief minister Y. Patton maintained that senior functionaries were participating. He added that the chief minister had been out of station and returned only recently.
On the possibility of Rio campaigning for BJP candidate before the end of the campaign period, Patton said he would hold discussions with the chief minister.
Patton expressed confidence that BJP candidate, Daochier I. Imchen, would win the by-election. Meanwhile, minister for higher education and tourism, Temjen Imna Along, dismissed suggestions of any rift within the alliance, asserting that the PDA coalition was functioning cohesively on the ground. “I think all of you are trying to put words into our mouth. The chief minister has been busy due to state matters, and we have his blessing,” Along said.
He pointed out that senior NPF leaders, including minister CL John and advisor Dr. K. Yhome, were present at the campaign.
Reiterating confidence in the alliance’s electoral prospects, Along asserted that PDA remained “intact and strong” and expressed optimism that BJP candidate would secure victory “with a thumping majority”
PM Modi transit via Dimapur en route to Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a brief transit through Dimapur on Monday on his way to Dibrugarh, Assam, where he was scheduled to address a series of election campaign rallies ahead of the ensuing Assam assembly elections.
The Prime Minister, who landed at Dimapur Airport for a short halt, was received by a high-level delegation led by chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, governor Nand Kishore Yadav, deputy chief minister Y Patton, and several ministers and advisors including Jacob Zhimomi, CL John, Temjen Imna Along and Pangjung Jamir.
After a brief interaction at the airport, the Prime Minister proceeded to Assam to continue his campaign engagements.
Security arrangements in and around Dimapur were significantly stepped up during the transit. Commissioner of Police (CP) Dimapur, Aotula Imchen, issued multiple directives to ensure smooth movement and public safety.
Vehicular traffic was regulated along key routes, including intermittent restrictions on NH-29 and adjoining roads.
Police personnel were deployed at vital junctions, while frisking and surveillance were intensified as part of standard security protocol.
Meanwhile, minister for higher education and tourism, Temjen Imna Along, while speaking to media persons at the airport, praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
Responding to queries about the visit, he asserted that PM Modi was “not only a leader of Assam but a leader of the whole world today.” Along said that the Prime Minister’s active participation in the Assam election campaign reflected the aspirations of the people. He claimed that even Congress workers wanted to see him and were chanting “Modi-Modi”.
On allegations surrounding the wife of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Along dismissed the controversy as “baseless” and described the claims as “fake and lies”. He also termed the allegations as last-minute attempts by the Congress to influence public sentiment ahead of the polls.