- DIMAPUR — Nationalist
Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on
Sunday attributed unease over incomplete works as the reason behind the
decision of 7 NCP legislators in Nagaland to jump ship and join the Nationalist
Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).
- According to a PTI report on Sunday, Pawar claimed that the
“seven NCP MLAs in Nagaland joined the ruling party there due to unease over
their work not getting done.”
- Speaking to journalists in Maharashtra, Pawar indicated that
the move was not abrupt. “Two months ago, all the MLAs had met me and
complained about their work not getting done there (Nagaland). There was
unrest; that is true. These MLAs were feeling uneasy,” he was quoted as saying.
- After the split in the Nationalist Congress Party in July
2023, following Ajit Pawar joining the then Eknath Shinde government in
Maharashtra, these seven MLAs had preferred to side with the Deputy CM instead
of party founder Sharad Pawar, the PTI reported.
Also read: 7 Nationalist Congress Party MLAs in Nagaland merge with NDPP
- As reported previously, with the latest merger, the NDPP,
led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, has increased its tally in the 60-member
Nagaland Legislative Assembly from 25 to 32. The move significantly strengthens
the ruling party and reduces the NCP’s presence in the state to zero.
- While announcing the merger on the night of May 31, Minister
for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye, offered an insight into the
rationale behind the NCP legislators’ move.
- He said that being part of a national party like the NCP comes
with broad, pan-India agendas that often do not align with Nagaland's specific
needs.
- “The state has unique and sensitive issues. While the NCP is
a national party, its framework may not allow its members to focus solely on
state-centric concerns. That made it difficult for them to operate effectively
in the interest of Nagaland,” Kenye explained.
- “The seven MLAs are Namri Nchang of Tening, Picto Shohe of
Atoizu, Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe of Wokha Town, Y Mankhao Konyak of Mon Town, A
Pongshi Phom of Longleng, P Longon of Noklak and S Toiho Yeptho of Suruhoto.
- “Apart from 32 NDPP and 12 BJP MLAs, the Nagaland Assembly
has five NPP legislators, two members each of the LJP (Ram Vilas), Naga
People’s Front and RPI (Athawale), a JD(U) MLA and four Independents,” the PTI
report stated.
