Peren, November 29 (MExN): The fate of State General Election 2023 would depend on the outcome of the much awaited Naga political talks, which the whole Nagas are longing, Chairman of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of Nagaland, TR Zeliang stated on November 29.
Addressing the consultative meeting of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) 7 Peren Assembly Constituency at his residence in Peren, he further reasoned that the “coming together” of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and NDPP to form an Opposition-less government was to strengthen one regional party for the cause of Naga Political Issue.
‘We have seen the positive result of an Opposition-less Government in the past as the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position was signed in the year 2015 and 2017 respectively when we had an opposition-less government,’ he maintained.
The current Opposition-less government under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio continues to sincerely facilitate for an early Naga Solution, he maintained.
Nonetheless, Zeliang was in a campaign mode and told the gathering to work together as one unit without any reservation and ill feelings towards one another though they were different parties in the past, for a “very positive outcome in the upcoming general election.”
According to a press release from the NDPP AC unit, he further asserted that the “Office of the NPF 7 Peren A/C dissolved en bloc and has merged to NDPP” and there is only one party.
It is now important to strengthen the party in the Constituency and also the hands of the CM Rio and NDPP President Chingwang Konyak, he said, telling the gathering to take this message to their respective units and jurisdiction.
NDPP-BJP seat-sharing formula final
Meanwhile, Zeliang stated that the top brass of NDPP and BJP have taken the decision for 40:20 seat sharing formula and told the party workers not to be carried away by rumours and speculations that 'this is not the final decision'.
He also exuded confidence the coalition will come back to power without a doubt.
On the various “murmurs regarding the NDPP ticket issue,” Zeliang maintained that it is the legitimate rights of every party worker to seek for tickets, but the Parliamentary Board will take a final call and ‘winnability’ of the candidate would be a deciding factor, the release informed.
Also addressing the meeting, former NLA Speaker and NDPP Peren District In-charge Neiba Ndang, called upon the party workers not to discriminate on lines of ‘old or new’ NDPP members,’ it said. He further noted that the discussion on the issue of party ticket is premature at this stage.
The meeting further resolved to work in perfect coordination with all the erstwhile NPF members to strengthen the party and the position of the incumbent MLA in the Constituency, it added.
Among others, the meeting was attended by all the NDPP Executives of 7 Peren A/C and its Frontal Units and also the CEB, COB representing 7 Peren A/C and all Executives of the erstwhile NPF who “merged” to NDPP.
