Speculations of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) revising the seat sharing formula of 40:20 with it’s alliance partner Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has been put on the back burner as Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today confirmed that his party stands by as to whatever has been agreed already.
Speaking to a section of media on the sideline of the 74th Republic Day programme here at Secretariat Plaza, Kohima, Chief Minister maintained the seat sharing formula has already been decided with it’s alliance partner and there is no disagreement between the two parties.
“Its already decided. I have told you before that we will stand by that decision and everybody was there when we took this decision. So there is no issue,” Rio said.
It may be mentioned that both the NDPP and BJP had agreed on seat sharing formula in the ratio of 40:20 in a meeting between leaders of NDPP and the BJP central leadership the parties including Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in New Delhi.
Besides, Neiphiu Rio also clearly said that there will be no friendly contest as far as the NDPP and the BJP is concerned.
When asked about the release date of the NDPP candidate list, Rio said, “Within this month it will be announced, I hope. Then there will be no friendly contest. In terms of seat sharing we will support the BJP in their seat and they will support us in our seat.”
When Rio’s response was sought on the Eastern tribes deciding to exclude from the elections even if the Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU) has opted to participate in the polls, the Nagaland Chief Minister hopes that good sense will prevail.
Further elaborating, Rio said, “Well I have nothing to say about their decision. It is the provision of the Constitution that we must have an elected person to have a government. It is a democratic process so I hope good sense will prevail.”
It may be mentioned that the ENLU in an emergency meeting held on 22 January, had taken the decision to take part in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly election despite ENPO’s stand to abstain from participating in the polls.
Sources informed that BJP high command is likely to announce the final seat sharing by tomorrow and that the party’s candidate list will be declared after 2 February.
