NDPP stands by 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement — Rio

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Jan. 25 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said that Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) stands by the 40:20 seat-sharing agreement with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming state Assembly polls scheduled on February 27.

Rio, while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Republic Day celebration at Secretariat Plaza, Kohima on Thursday, said NDPP will “not” settle for 30:30 “at all”.

“It’s already decided and we stand by that decision (of finalising the 40:20 seat formula) and everybody was there (in the meeting) when we took decision”, Rio said.

His remark came amid BJP Nagaland protesting against the 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement, which was finalised at the Central level last week. 

Rio also said the NDPP candidates for the ensuing election will be announced this month. After the joint seat-sharing is announced, “we will take decision” on the ticket announcement date, he said.

He added there will be “no friendly contest”. Since it is seat-sharing, “we (NDPP) will support in their (BJP) seat and they will support in our seat”.

Nagaland CM hopes good sense will prevail among people who seek new state

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday expressed hope that good sense' will prevail among the seven tribes of the state, that have decided not to participate in the February 27 assembly polls to press for their demand for a separate state.

Several organisations of the seven tribes have also issued separate diktats asking their community members to resign from the posts they are holding in political parties.
These organisations also warned that if any of their members file nominations for the election, they will have to face the consequences.

"I have nothing to say about their decision. But in a democracy, elected representatives are required to form a government. I hope good sense will prevail," said Rio, also the head of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).
The Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO), the apex body of these seven tribes, has been demanding a separate state Frontier Nagaland comprising the districts of Mon, Noklak, Kiphire, Longleng, Shamator and Tuensang since 2010.(With inputs from PTI)

Also read: BJP will proceed with 40:20 seat arrangement — Jacob Zhimomi