The Nagaland state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its decision to field candidates for the upcoming 2024 Municipal and Town Council Elections. However, this move comes with specific strategic exceptions aligned with its coalition partner, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).
According to the State BJP President, Benjamin Yepthomi, the BJP will nominate candidates in all wards of the Municipal and Town Councils that fall within the 12 Assembly Constituencies currently represented by BJP MLAs.
Conversely, the BJP will abstain from fielding candidates in the Municipal and Town Council wards located within the 25 Assembly Constituencies represented by the NDPP. This reciprocal arrangement underscores the ongoing collaboration and mutual respect between the two alliance partners within the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA).
Furthermore, in the 23 Assembly Constituencies not represented by either the BJP or the NDPP, the BJP plans to field candidates in the respective Municipal and Town Council wards. This approach is intended to ensure a “friendly contest”, according to the party statement.
It further added that wherever possible, the BJP and the NDPP through “mutual understanding” will work to accommodate seats for each other taking winnability of the candidate into account.
According to Yepthomi, this information follows wide consultations with Alliance partner, the NDPP in the greater and common interest of the People’s Democratic Alliance.