Kohima, January 26 (MTNews): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed hope on Thursday that ‘good sense’ will prevail among the state’s seven tribes that have decided to abstain in the February 27 assembly elections in order to advance their demand for a separate state.
Since 2010, the apex body of these seven tribes, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO), has been demanding a new state – Frontier Nagaland – comprised of the districts of Mon, Noklak, Kiphire, Longleng, Shamator, and Tuensang.
Several of the seven tribes’ organizations have also issued separate directives for their members to resign from positions in political parties. These organizations also cautioned their members that if they file nominations for the election, they will face the repercussions.
“I have no comment on their decision. But in a democracy, elected representatives are required to form a government. I hope good sense will prevail,” said Rio.
According to sources, the ENPO has been meeting behind closed doors with various organizations since Wednesday but has yet to reach a conclusion.
Meanwhile, BJP supporters have been organizing rallies across Nagaland over the last few days, denouncing the NDPP-BJP 40:20 seat sharing deal, with many BJP supporters demanding 30:30 or going solo. When asked about the uproar over the 40:20 seat-sharing rules, Rio stated that his party will not change its current position.
“There will be no friendly contests between the two parties and we stand by the decision… We will support them in their seats and they will support us in ours,” Rio maintained.
“The two parties will finalize the constituencies to be shared within this month and the NDPP will then announce the list of its candidates,” said the CM.
The last date for filing nominations is February 7. The election will be held on February 27 while votes will be counted on March 2.