The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has sought clarify its actual position with regard to seat-sharing agreement with BJP in the recently concluded urban local bodies (ULB) elections in the state.
NDPP through its media & communication committee said that the BJP proposed to field only its candidates in the assembly constituencies where the sitting members were BJP MLAs and likewise for the constituencies where NDPP MLAs were sitting members. On the other hand, NDPP suggested for friendly contests.
After discussion between leaders of both parties in Nagaland and in Delhi, NDPP said it was decided that NDPP and BJP would field candidates in the respective assembly constituencies represented by 25 NDPP MLAs and 12 BJP MLAs while in the remaining 23 constituencies, there would be friendly contests if necessary.
NDPP said it was also agreed that in selected areas there would be local arrangements for friendly contests between the two parties. However, NDPP said that “unfortunately” in contravention to the agreed principle, NDPP party leaders were poached and offered BJP tickets under Chümoukedima town council.
“This had antagonised our party functionaries at the grassroots level resulting in our Party fielding official candidates under the Chümoukedima town council,” NDPP said. Further, NDPP said that the party leaders led by MLA in-charge of the district had also called on BJP leaders to formulate a formula wherein both the parties could participate in the elections with understanding. “Unfortunately a working formula could not be formulated under Chümoukedima town council,” it added.
Despite those aspects, the NDPP said the party did not field a single candidate in Niuland town council election as a gesture of mutual respect and in observance of the spirit of the alliance.
NDPP said the party was also “surprised” when camping of newly elected members of Dimapur Municipal Council started outside the state in Assam.
However, NDPP said that in the aftermath of the elections and the declaration of the results, the party leadership took “mature and big hearted decision” to maintain the spirit of the alliance throughout the State and work in close cooperation in a collective manner with alliance partner in the greater interest of the citizens of the State.
NDPP affirmed to follow an inclusive approach and continue to maintain the positive teamwork that has been built up over the past years. “We will not allow electoral differences in the local elections to hamper our common vision of all round development and progress of Nagaland,” the ruling party stated.
Meanwhile, NDPP has extended appreciation to the electorates of the areas where the elections to the ULBs were held for the overwhelming mandate that was reposed upon NDPP and PDA coalition under the leadership of the chief minister Neiphiu Rio.
The party also congratulated the newly formed ULBs, irrespective of party colour, and wished each and every member a successful tenure. Meanwhile, sources said that the BJP legislators on Saturday held a closed-door meeting in Kohima, reportedly in connection with the recently concluded ULB elections.
It may be mentioned that the local body elections were held for the first time after 20 years, and 33% of the seats or wards were reserved for women.
The polls were supposed to be held for 36 town councils but could not be conducted in 15 town councils across six districts where the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, demanding a separate administrative set-up, abstained from taking part in the civic body elections.