Nagaland Polls 2018 Pol parties welcome poll dates, election fever yet to grip State
Source: The Sangai Express / Courtesy - TNT News
Kohima, January 18 2018:
Soon after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the poll dates for three North Eastern States� Tripura.
Nagaland and Meghalaya, political parties in Nagaland have welcomed the announcement though they stated that the declaration was rather delayed.
Ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) on Thursday while welcoming the poll announcement said that it has been the stand of the NPF that though it wants early solution to the Naga political problem, it has always been prepared to participate in the elections.
Nagaland along with Meghalaya will go to polls on February 27 while counting of votes will be held on March 3 .
The NPF reposes its faith on the people while stating that with the departure of MP Neiphiu Rio from the party, leadership of the party now is undisputed.
"TR Zeliang will lead the party as the Chief Ministerial candidate for 2018 elections," NPF source said.
Regarding the raging controversy about severing of ties with BJP and renewal of ties, the source said "The matter shall be decided at an appropriate time by appropriate authority of the party." However, it is most likely that the NPF will go to the polls with other like-minded political parties minus the BJP and the Congress.
Meanwhile, the National People's Party (NPP) general secretary Vivek Raj Wangkhem also said that though the announcement was delayed, they welcome the decision of the ECI and stated that the party is prepared to give a tough fight in the election.
When asked about the announcement of the list of candidates, Wangkhem said "We have started the process and will further call for application from interested candidates with winability factor."
The NPP GS also said that the party will field its candidates in as many seats as it deem fit.
When asked about the party's consideration to go for pre poll alliance, Wangkhem said "We have not decided on that matter as of now though talks are on with different like-minded parties" .
On the other hand, the Indian National Congress (INC) while welcoming the poll announcement said the Congress will participate in the Feb election with full vigour.
When asked whether the party is looking forward to tie up with any other party, Therie said "Minus the BJP, we are willing to have anybody but it seems everybody is with the BJP" .
Meanwhile, with the decision of the NPF to sever ties with the BJP, the latter is likely going to look out for a new partner even as most suspect that the 'partner' will likely be the newly floated party �Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) under the leadership of MP Neiphiu Rio.