Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said that the pre-poll allies -- Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- will get absolute majority in the upcoming state general election.
The election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) will be held on February 27 before the votes are counted on March 2.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of NDPP election campaign for 8 Western Angami Assembly Constituency (AC) at the historic Khonoma village under Kohima district, Rio said he is confident of the alliance forming the next Nagaland government.
“But I am not in a position to tell you the figure,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the NDPP has fielded Salhoutuonuo Kruse from the 8 Western Angami AC.
Kruse is one of the two women candidates the NDPP has fielded for the upcoming election. The other candidate is Hekani Jakhalu, who is contesting from 3 Dimapur-III AC.
As reported earlier by this newspaper, Rio confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will be campaigning in the state for the upcoming election.
He added that he will be accompanying them during the joint campaigns as allies (NDPP -BJP alliance).
In his recent meeting with the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) Convenor and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with state BJP president Temjen Imna Along and Deputy CM Y Patton in Dimapur, he said they discussed strategies as allies for the upcoming election.
Attended the 8th Western Angami A/C campaign kick-off for Mrs. Salhoutuono Kruse @k_salhoutuonuo. We can make our democracy more vibrant by acknowledging the fact that women not only have the right to vote and to elect but also to be elected. #WomenEmpowerment #GenderEquality pic.twitter.com/pVQQVpaxeZ
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) February 9, 2023
Neiphiu Rio said despite challenges, the regional party -- Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) -- was founded to protect the rights, culture and heritages of the Nagas.
He stated this while addressing the 10th Northern Angami -I Assembly Constituency NDPP election kick-off programme for the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) at Kohima village ground, Ziekiezou.
He maintained that the state needed development in many areas but due to lack of resources and financial constraints, the state government has not been able to pursue the same but expressed optimism that things will improve.
The chief minister further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to visit the state ahead of the poll announcement to lay foundation stones and inaugurate projects, but it couldn't materialise.
He, however, said that on his recent visit to Delhi, the Central leaders had assured to take up development projects in the state through a common minimum programme.
Dwelling on the medical college in Kohima, he said it will be a herculean task to manage the institute from its own resources owing to the state’s financial constraints, even though the academic session is expected to start off this year.
In this regard, he had asked the Union government to make it a regional institute in the model of AIMS and funded by the Centre, else it would drain the state resources of INR 15 to 20 crore.
Highlighting the development works ongoing in the state capital through Smart City Missions, he maintained that water supply for Kohima city and its surrounding areas sourced from Dzukou is on the pipeline, which he assured to take up on priority.
Rio also said that the additional allocation of funding for the Kohima village multi-purpose building under Ministry of Tribal Affairs, couldn't be taken up for final completion, yet assured that it will be taken up by the next government.
Meanwhile, Rio also informed that the proposal to build a Naga Wrestling Arena at Meriema with a capacity of over 15,000 people to house sports and other programmes worth INR 55 crore is likely to be sanctioned by the Centre. He also stated that the government is working towards development and transformation throughout the state with various projects.
The chief minister also stressed on the need for Nagas to work collectively and protect the regional identity of the people.
Further, he also pointed out that the last date for withdrawal of candidature for the general election is February 10 and exuded hope that some candidates will be ‘uncontested’.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, NDPP candidate for 10th Northern Angami -I Assembly Constituency, appealed to the electorates to vote for a leader that would be in the government for development of the locality with a collective decision of the citizens.
He also acknowledged the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and NDPP party for reposing faith on him with the party ticket.