Resentment in BJP after seat sharing pact with NDPP in Nagaland
Source: The Sangai Express / Courtesy - Economic Times

Guwahati, February 05 2018: BJP entering into seat sharing arrangement with newly formed National Democratic Political Party (NDPP) for the Assembly polls has fuelled resentment in the party.

The State unit of BJP has expressed resentment with BJP entering into electoral pact with NDPP and written a letter to party National president Amit Shah.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is also BJP's poll in-charge for Nagaland in Guwahati on Saturday announced that NDPP will contest 40 seats and BJP will contest 20 seats in the 60 member Assembly.

BJP has dumped its 15 year old, Naga People's Front (NPF) and picked up NDPP.

BJP is partner in the NPF led Democratic Alliance coalition ruling Nagaland.

The State unit in a letter to Shah stated "The 20:40 seat-sharing pact between the BJP and the NDPP, led by former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, for the 60-member Assembly was not justified since it was the NDPP which had approached the saffron party for the alliance.

The Nagaland BJP has about 45 potential intending candidates seeking party tickets" .

The letter written by Eduzo Theluo, State general secretary added the prospect of the saffron party was gaining momentum in the North Eastern State with every passing day.

"The party prospect is gaining momentum day after day and we are confident of achieving resounding success across the State much better than NDPP" .

The letter further stated, "It is very likely that if the seat-sharing agreement is taken up officially, it will have a highly negative impact on the current status of the party in Nagaland" .

The letter said "We have, therefore, decided to fight the upcoming Assembly election without any pre-poll alliance and may opt for a post-poll alliance, based on necessity" .

The letter warned that supporters might withdraw allegiance if only 20 seats were allotted to the saffron party.

A senior BJP leader said that as many as 11 Morcha president from various districts have written letters to Shah against alliance with NDPP.

Several party supporters in Dimapur shouted slogans against the Central leadership of the party after it announced alliance with NDPP.

Meanwhile Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) which is leading the movement for a solution to Naga problem before election, has decided to leave the decision to the political parties on whether or not to participate in the 2018 polls.

After extensive meeting CCNTHCO said it would not use force or go against people making choices based on their own decisions.

CCNTHCO said it will continue to pursue this issue while appealing to the political parties to respect the popular wishes of the people.

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