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The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and its ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday launched a joint election campaign at Capital Cultural Hall in Kohima ahead of the Nagaland Assembly poll on February 27.
The NDPP-BJP alliance is contesting the upcoming election with a 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement, as was in 2018 poll, wherein the regional party is given 40 seats and the saffron party 20 in the 60-member Assembly.
Addressing the programme on Tuesday, BJP Chief JP Nadda lauded the Naga people for preserving the rich culture, language and the festivals, which he claimed the past government had ignored. He also pointed out that the state has a place of nationalism, citing establishment of Azad Hind Fauj by Subhash Chandra Bose at Rüzazho village.
Nadda went on to state that Nagaland was once known for insurgency, abduction, targeted killings, instability and others, but a stable government has been in place in the state under leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
“Nagaland is now a place of peace, development and prosperity,” said the BJP national president.
Elections and voting is not meant to be decided on flimsy grounds, he said, adding that it needs serious deliberations to decide who should take reigns of the power.
He said that India is witnessing an increase in economic growth rate while other big countries are experiencing recession and facing tough times.
The BJP chief said the Centre is focusing on HIRA -- Highway, Internet, Railways and Airways -- in the Northeast region, while highlighting the initiatives taken by the government of India for the state of Nagaland and the region.
He also reiterated that the government in the state will go on for the next five years under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio through the alliance under any circumstances, which was committed during his visit to the state capital last year.
Further, he hailed the leadership of Rio, who he described as a seasoned and mature politician, working as a statesman and taking care of the sentiments of Nagaland people. He also assured BJP’s full support to ensure a strong Nagaland.
Nadda also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “very enthusiastic” about the Naga political issue, and that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and state BJO leaders Y Patton and Temjen Imna Along were witnesses to it.
Briefly dwelling on the demand of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), he said ‘the issues they had discussed and the commitments given by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be followed in letter and spirit’. “We stand committed to it,” he added.
He claimed that only BJP understands the national commitment with the regional aspirations, which no other political party does.
Rio, in his speech, acknowledged Nadda for launching the party manifesto and the campaign in the state.
While hailing Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Nadda for reposing faith on NDPP and him, the CM also thanked them for their support and assured a strong NDPP-BJP alliance.
He said the NDPP-BJP alliance had insured a stable government and worked towards the development agenda of PM Modi and termed it a ‘successful tenure’.
While the alliance is set to face the mandate of the people, he assured of coming back with a thumping majority to form the new government.
Rio went on to say that despite all efforts, the solution to the Naga political issue could not be resolved despite forming an all-party government to show commitment for solution. However, he expressed hope that the solution will arrive if the people continue to work with dedication and commitment.
The chief minister maintained that the NDPP-BJP alliance is on strong ground and expressed confidence that with the blessings of God and the mandate of the people, it will come back and form the new government with a ‘thumping majority’ by winning more than 40 seats.
Further, he informed that the alliance partners are waiting for the arrival of Modi and Shah to campaign in the state. He also stated that the development vision of Modi and his government is well appreciated all over the country, including the Northeast, and the impact of positivity is enabling the state towards a journey of excellence.
He reiterated that the commitment of Modi and Shah towards the solution to the Naga issue will be materialised.
Rio further stated that the 40:20 seat-sharing deal is based on trust with the agenda of peace, development, and the decades-old Naga political issue, adding that Nagas are crying out for peace and “we are all yearning for a solution at the earliest possible”.
The chief minister lauded Modi for leading the signing of Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position with the NSCN (IM) and the WC-NNPG respectively, adding that the new government (14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly) will have the opportunity to resolve the issue and sought commitment from both the state and Centre.
While maintaining that the relaxation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in selected areas -- 15 police stations out of 72 -- had brought a good message to the people, he opined peace will usher in opportunities and bring economic development to the people.
He also briefly dwelled on the need to start oil exploration in the state that had been brought to a standstill in 1994.
Speaking at the event, Dy. CM Y Patton said the BJP-NDPP alliance is a popular government and has completed five years under Neiphiu Rio, adding that the BJP legislators had resolved to work under the directives of the Central leadership.
He maintained that in the past, ‘we could not give a stable government but during the last tenure of our alliance, we have worked together for peace and development in our state’.
“Overall law and order situation has also improved and the crime rate has come down drastically. The BJP-NDPP alliance is time-tested and is set to open another innings together, and we look forward to do better by charting out clear cut policies, even as we envision for a new Nagaland, a Nagaland that is self-reliant, resilient and relevant,” he said.
Maintaining that people of Nagaland are happy with the progress and development taking place in all the nooks and corners of the state, he said the public has put their trust in the Modi-led government, which has brought development to the remotest parts of the country.
He also expressed confidence that the people will give their mandate to the alliance once again with a resounding victory.
Patton went on to say that Nagaland is a small state with several complexities but with the support of the Central government, ‘all the obstacles can be hammered out and lead the state to greater heights along with the rest of the country’.
Earlier in the programme, Secretary General of NDPP Abu Metha delivered the welcome address and introduction. NDPP Spokesperson Merentoshi R Jamir chaired the event and BJP Nagaland President Temjen Imna Along delivered the vote of thanks.