Tokheho Yepthomi - winner in Nagaland Lok Sabha Bye-Election

02 June 2018, Kohima

1. The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) places on record its utmost appreciation and gratitude to the people of Nagaland and the electorate for reposing their faith in the NDPP led PDA Government headed by Chief Minister Mr. Neiphiu Rio by electing the PDA consensus candidate Mr. Tokheho Yepthomi with a massive mandate in the just concluded Lok Sabha Bye-Election to the Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency.

The NDPP appreciates the Election Commission of India, the State Election Department, Police, and Administration for successful conduct of the bye elections. We also extend our appreciation to all stakeholders including civil societies, hohos, churches and NGOs, for making positive contributions thereby ensuring successful conduct of the election.

2. The NDPP-BJP alliance has gained significant strides within just two months of being elected to power by gaining more than the sitting representatives of the Opposition in seven assembly constituencies namely 3 Dimapur III A/C, 13 Pughoboto A/C, 20 Meluri A/C, 21 Tuli A/C, 46 Mon Town A/C, 54 Tuensang Sadar II A/C and 60 Pungro Kiphire A/C. In the 2018 General Assembly Elections, the NDPP-BJP garnered a combined total of 4,08,056 votes (40.51%) while the NPF which contested in 58 seats could garner only 3,89,687 votes (38.69 %).

The PDA as a whole garnered a grand total of 5,29,255 votes (54 %). However, in the Lok Sabha Bye-Election 2018 held after a span of just 3 months, the PDA secured 5,94,205 votes out of a grand total of 10,18,658 votes cast (including NOTA and tendered votes as per CEO Nagaland figures) which translates to 58.33 %. This quantum rise in percentage towards the PDA is a reiteration of the people’s confidence reposed in the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Neiphiu Rio and the NDPP led PDA Government which is solely focused on delivering the goods to the people.

3. The opposition parties would do well not to undermine the wisdom and mandate of the people which has been given to the PDA. The Congress has been wiped off in Nagaland and does not have a single MLA in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and so, it does not have the moral authority to hurl wild and baseless allegations that the PDA government had used all the government machinery and resources at its disposal to win this bye election. Rather, the Congress should behave in a matured manner by learning to respect the people and their conscious mandate instead of always pointing fingers at others for its own debacles.

4. With regards to the NPF’s statement that unprecedented proxy voting and booth capturing by the PDA rocketed the overall voting percentage despite low voter turnout, the NDPP would like to make it clear that there was not a single case of poll-related violence/skirmishes except in Kubza Village under 26 Aonglenden A/C wherein polling was disrupted by NPF supporters thereby leading to repoll on May 30, 2018. Since it is the NPF which destroyed the peaceful process of polling, it should not accuse others for its own hooliganism spawned by frustration of impending electoral defeat.

5. The NDPP thanks all the constituents of the PDA – the BJP, JD(U), NPP, IND – and its party functionaries and supporters at all levels of respective party hierarchies for their relentless efforts in ensuring the grand victory of the PDA consensus candidate. This victory is a victory of the people and an emergence of the people’s voice. While respecting the mandate of the people the NDPP is humbled by the overwhelming support and we reiterate our commitment to work for all sections of the people as the PDA Government is for every citizen of the State.

The NDPP felicitates Mr. Tokheho Yepthomi on being elected to the Lok Sabha and is fully confident of his capabilities and that his vast experiences will be further broadened as he takes the voice of the Nagas to the Parliament in the nation’s capital. The NDPP remains committed for inclusiveness and progressive growth and we will work wholeheartedly for early resolution of the Naga Political Issue while promoting mutual and peaceful co-existence with our neighbors.

(ISSUED BY NDPP, MEDIA & COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE)