With Jan 14 commitment between NSCN-IM and NNPGs, solution will surely come: Rio

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday said that if the unconditional commitment of the NSCN-IM and Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) declared on January 14 is to continue, the solution to the protracted Naga political issue is inevitable and that the “solution will surely come.”

Rio said he had hoped that the opposition-less government would become a “party-less government” where the Naga groups, civil society and state leaders would form a party-less government but the NNPGs and the NSCN-IM “were not able to come together.”

“But with the January 14 agreement, based on historical rights and to uphold and protect the identity of the Nagas, there is hope for a solution to come,” Rio said.

“If the settlement would have been reached sooner, the seats in the legislative assembly would have increased by at least 20 seats,” the chief minister claimed.

He also said that the Lok Sabha seat would also have been increased by 2 which would have been allotted as “1 seat to ENPO, 1 seat to CNTC and 1 to TPO” and that Rajya Sabha members would have also been increased.

On NDPP being made the “major partner” in terms of seat sharing deal with the BJP, Rio said it was done by the BJP high command “out of respect for the Nagas.”

The NDPP is contesting in 40 seats, while the BJP has fielded candidates in 20 seats as per the seat sharing deal. “It is an arrangement by the BJP high command out of respect for Nagas and for being a Christian-dominated state. We are grateful to them for it,” Rio said.

On why there’s an alliance with the BJP, Rio said, “We don’t have resources, no money … there are no factories and industries and so, by befriending Delhi and taking their help, we have to develop.”

Rio also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be arriving in Dimapur on February 24 for a mega election rally there.

Talking about the concerns of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO), Rio said that the issue will also be addressed after the assembly elections are over.

Rio also sounded optimistic about retaining power with a “thumping majority” and forming the government again.

“Even though Mokokchung had elected 2 NDPP MLAs in the previous election, we have counted and I’ve been made aware that the NDPP might win as many as 6 seats this time around,” Rio confided.

Taking a dig at the Congress party, Rio said that “in the centre, the main opposition is Congress. I heard they are also giving out tickets here also,” he said.

“There is one person who is contesting against me; they are not contesting to win but are doing so to keep the name alive,” he claimed.

The NDPP star campaigner was in Ungma to address an election rally for NDPP candidate Sharingain Longkumer from 26 Aonglenden A/C.

Short speeches were also delivered by Sharingain Longkumer; NDPP star campaigner Metsubo Jamir; Imtiyanger Ex. MLA, Vice president CEB, NDPP Nagaland and BJP Mokokchung District President, Imolemba.

Rio campaigns for TN Mannen in Süngratsü

Later in the day, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio addressed a rally in Süngratsü village where he urged villagers to vote for TN Mannen, the candidate of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party for the 23 Impur Assembly Constituency.

Rio, while addressing the campaign rally for the NDPP candidate at Süngratsü Village, said that if the people give their mandate to the NDPP candidate, the party will see to all round development of the constituency.

Mokokchung Times