Yanthungo Patton backs BJP role in Dimapur Municipal Council amid the ongoing alliance crisis and floor test row.
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DIMAPUR — Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton on Tuesday backed the inclusion of BJP councillors in the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), saying alliance partners under the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) should work together and share responsibilities in municipal bodies.
Patton’s remarks come amid the ongoing political crisis in the DMC following a no-confidence motion moved against chairperson Hukheto Yepthomi, exposing divisions within the ruling alliance ahead of a scheduled floor test on May 22.
Speaking to media persons at Dimapur Airport after returning from New Delhi along with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, NPF Secretary General and MLA Achumbemo Kikon and government officials, Patton said the BJP-NPF alliance extended beyond the state government to municipal and town councils as well.
“The alliance between BJP and NPF is there in all levels, including municipal and town councils,” Patton said when asked whether BJP councillors should also be accommodated in the DMC.
He stated that BJP councillors should be given portfolios in the civic body as alliance partners.
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Patton also called on PDA partners to collectively address the internal disputes that have emerged in several urban local bodies following the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections.
Referring to the developments in the Niuland Town Council, where a no-confidence motion was recently moved against chairperson V Samuel Holo, Patton said he was not fully aware of the matter and maintained that the DMC issue should first be resolved.
Meanwhile, Kikon said the Naga People’s Front (NPF) leadership was closely monitoring the situation in the DMC and was prioritising reconciliation despite issuing show-cause notices to some councillors.
He said the party constitution provided for disciplinary measures, including suspension and expulsion, but maintained that efforts were being made to resolve the issue amicably.
“Our first approach is reconciliation,” Kikon said, adding that the party leadership would meet at the earliest.
On whether the party would take into account both the NPF constitution and the Municipal Act before taking a decision, Kikon said all sides would be heard before any action was initiated.
“Taking action without hearing both sides would violate the principles of natural justice,” he said.
Asked whether the party would arrive at a decision before the May 22 floor test, Kikon said the NPF would, “as far as possible”, wait for the floor test as mandated under the Municipal Act.
He added that the BJP and NPF had successfully worked together at the state level through power-sharing arrangements in the cabinet and said “all possibilities” remained open regarding the DMC.