National President of Republican Party of India (RPI) (Athawale), and Union Minister of State for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale stated that RPI (Athawale) party will fully support the NDPP-BJP alliance in forming the government.
This was stated during a press conference held at the residence of Z. Kasheto Yeptho in Chümoukedima on Feb. 20.
While describing Yeptho, RPI (Athawale) candidate for 5 Ghaspani-II AC, as a strong contender, Athawale expressed confidence of his party winning 3 to 4 seats out of the 8 seats it is contesting.
He said that the party will work for the development of the people and for the welfare of Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe, OBC and the minority community of India.
Athawale acknowledged the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, for appointing the president of India from a tribal community. He said that the RPI (Athawale) party has strong establishments in the entire Northeast alongside the prime minister’s guidelines towards working for the development of the north-eastern states.
Read: Elect RPI (A) candidate for development of state — Ramdas Athawale
Athawale also mentioned that Yeptho will also be the legislature party leader of RPI (Athawale).
When asked on why the party has set up candidate in the same constituency with NDPP, the president of RPI Nagaland, Mughato Aye clarified that they are in alliance but are fighting independently without disturbing the NDPP -BJP alliance.
He stated that since there are 60 seats in Nagaland and all were occupied, they decided to fight independently without disturbing the alliance and with the understanding that after election, they would be open to any possible alliance in government formation.
‘After winning we will have another round of talks and the minister will give directive in the later stage,’ he said.
While commenting on the speculations and propaganda going around in the state, the RPI Nagaland president clarified that they are independent and separate from other parties though it is in NDA alliance at the Centre. In Nagaland, the party has not forged an alliance with any other political parties as of now, he said.
He appealed to the Naga public and the Congress party leaders not to give unofficial and baseless statements.
The RPI (Athawale) candidate for 5th Ghaspani-II AC stated during the conference that formation of the government is not about family politics, and since he is representing the party, if he wins, the party from Centre will give directives. He also expressed confidence that he will be inducted into the new government. Dimapur, Feb. 20 (EMN)