Kohima - Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday officially extended its support to the Rio-led NDPP-BJP government in Nagaland, ending speculation if it will choose to be in the opposition.
The party won third highest number of seats in the recent Nagaland assembly election, winning seven out of 12 constituencies it contested. It was only next to NDPP, which won 25 seats, and BJP, 12.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, NCP Nagaland unit president Vanthungo Odyuo confirmed that the party has submitted letter of support to the new government but the ball is on the court of the alliance whether or not to include the party in the government.
He added that the party is ‘ever ready’ to support the government in resolving the political issue or any other issues confronting the Naga society.
The NCP also issued a press release stating that it had discussed whether to join the ruling government or to play the role of main opposition party, during which the newly elected MLAs and state unit had expressed the desire to be part of the government headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in the larger interest of the state.
Narendra Verma, National General Secretary and North East In-charge of NCP, had briefed the party chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday morning about the situation, following which the party supremo decided to accept Rio’s leadership in the larger interest of the state and subsequently cleared the proposed list of NCP legislature Party Leader and his team, said the update.
The NCP Legislature Party (NCPLP) had in its first meeting held in Kohima on March 4 elected Picto Shohe as leader of leader of NCPLP and P Longon as his deputy; Namri Nchang - Chief Whip; Y. Mhonbemo Humtsoe – Whip; and S. Toiho Yeptho- Spokesperson.
It may be mentioned that other political like National People's Party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Republican Party of India (Athawale) and Janata Dal United, as well as Independent legislators had extended support to the NDPP-BJP alliance which has formed the government in Nagaland after winning 37 seats in the 60-member assembly.
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