ECI’s election announcement conveys people’s demand has been denied: Therie
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K Therie has said that the Election Commission of India’s announcement that the State Assembly Elections would be held before the present term ends “conveys that the demand of the people for implementation of the agreed solutions has been denied.”
Stating that the announcement “leaves us few days at hand”, Therie pointed out that the CBSE examinations are set to begin from 15 February and if the elections are to be held before this date, “we have 30 days at hand.”
Therie said that, in the past, elections were usually announced 45 days ahead in order to allow people to “prepare their mind for the future five year plan.” However, he said, this opportunity has been “hijacked” and added that “people are now in suspense” on whether it will be the elections or the President’s Rule they face.
Therie also said that the Chief Minister of Nagaland expressing willingness to pave the way for a solution to the Naga political issue “has been a mirage all along.” He went on to say that the people have been running after this mirage for the last 20 years.
“The ECI’s announcement also conveys that the demand of the people for implementation of the agreed solutions has been denied. The matter now lies with GOI,” Therie reiterated.
“Congress’ priority is implementation of agreed solutions. There is no opposition to implementation of solutions. If BJP Government does not implement, they are nothing more than a lying party,” he added.
Membership increased from 41K to 341K since last election, claims Nagaland BJP
The Nagaland state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced that the party’s membership has seen an increase from 41,000 members to 3,41,000 and counting since the 2018 election.
In a statement titled “Prelude To The Bharatiya Janata Party: Then And Now” which was shared by the BJP Nagaland through its Media Cell, the party claimed that the party’s membership saw a “tremendous surge of progressive growth” and that the progress of the party is very noticeable with top central BJP leaders such as BL Santhosh, National General Secretary and JP Nadda, National President and hosts of other prominent leaders visiting the State.
According to the party, the Nagaland State BJP has come a long way amidst the branding of the party as “an anti-Christian Party, Hindu Party and whatnot.”
“Regardless of the party being the largest National Political Party in the country, there truly existed a time when people were least bothered about the BJP in the State of Nagaland,” the party added, stating that the Nagaland State BJP had “truly faced the test of time to have finally emerged from the shadows – to what it is today!”
According to the party, “The arrival of young leaders in the political arena” completely changed the story of Nagaland State BJP as they witnessed “an era of a resurgence at all levels.”
“It was a moment of great pride for the party when the Central Leaders took notice of a young man known as Temjen Imna Along, who took the reins of the Bharatiya Janata Party as President in the State of Nagaland. This young gentleman, as expected, has imbibed vigour and dynamism in the party as never seen before,” the party stated.
According to the party, the whole outlook and perception of the BJP witnessed a “tremendous sea change the moment Imna Along took over the Nagaland State BJP.”
“People slowly come to realize the value of this party which was never on the top chart amongst the political parties in Nagaland. This young man is wholly responsible for galvanizing the party to greater heights because he was accommodative, and inclusive, and has created a sense of belongingness for every individual that comes in contact with him,” the party said.
“He is a leader who inspires everybody to take a step higher, stand for the truth, and respect the mantra of the BJP – ‘Sath Ka Sath, Sath Ka Vikas, Sab ka Vishwas, Sab ka Priyas’,” the party claimed.
According to the party, the Nagaland State BJP is witnessing a new era of hope, “where we win the hearts of our haters, not with hate, but with love and compassion.”
The party further praised Nagaland State BJP President, the BJP Leader & Deputy Chief minister Y Patton and his team of BJP Legislators for doing “an incredible job” and claimed that their good work has now been manifested in the successful membership drive as mentioned above.
The party also highlighted its growth by citing the virtual inauguration of the Head Office of BJP Nagaland in Kohima by the National BJP President on 14 November last year.
Meanwhile, the party also informed that a ‘Statewide Campaign’ of New Membership Drive under the theme “Modi for Peace and Development” was launched on November 11, 2022, which is still ongoing.
This new membership drive has been initiated, it said, keeping in mind the positive response received from the populace about the successful implementation of various flagship programs and welfare schemes launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The membership drive, according to the party, is based on the digital platform where interested persons may get enrolled by giving a missed call to 829-829-6060.
BJP and NDPP seat sharing formula to be finalized January 18-19: Sarma
Guwahati, January 15 (MTNews): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a final agreement on seat sharing between BJP and NDPP in Nagaland would be finalized in New Delhi on January 18-19.
Sarma, who is the convener of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) speaking to media persons on Sunday said, “There was discussions between us (BJP) and NDPP in Nagaland. It will be finalized in New Delhi on Jan 18-19. It was a meeting for the Nagaland election.”
Speaking about Tripura and Meghalaya elections he said, “The works (regarding elections in Meghalaya and Tripura) are underway there. There was something left regarding Nagaland, it has got over nicely.”
The announcement comes days after Nagaland CM Rio met Sarma at the latter’s residence on Thursday.
Sarma on Thursday said in a tweet that he was pleased to meet Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio at his residence and discuss “various issues of mutual interests.” He had stated that they deliberated on ways to “expedite our mutual development and strengthen the bond of camaraderie between the two States.”
Both, the BJP and the NDPP in July last year had announced that they will jointly contest the 2023 Assembly election in Nagaland. It was decided that the NDPP will contest in 40 seats and BJP on 20 seats.
However, there are speculations doing the rounds that the 40:20 seat sharing agreement between NDPP and BJP might see a change in the equation as the BJP wants a bigger share of the pie. While some state BJP leaders have openly suggested for the saffron party to go solo, some have demanded a 30:30 formula.
Meanwhile, the latest word out is that the BJP would demand a 24:36 formula. Leader of NPF Legislature Party and co- chairman of the UDA Government, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, had recently stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to Nagaland could compel CM Neiphiu Rio-led NDPP to increase the BJP’s share in the seat sharing agreement.
“They (BJP and NDPP) will continue with the alliance but there is a rumor that Amit Shah has asked for an increase of four seats from 20 to 24 seats,” Azo was quoted as saying.