Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton addressing a press conference in Kohima on March 8. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 8
Nagaland's Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton, today exuded confidence that the NDPP-BJP alliance would give a stable government "as mandated by the people of Nagaland with high expectations." The alliance government would strive to fulfill the aspirations of the people in the best way possible during this upcoming tenure, Patton told a press conference.
Patton expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for entrusting him to serve the people of the state in the capacity of Deputy CM for the second term. "I do express my profound thanks and gratitude to all the electorate of Nagaland for giving their mandate to the NDPP-BJP Alliance once again," he said.
On the Naga political front, as has been seen and witnessed, the Government of India, under the "dynamic and visionary" leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP national president JP Nadda, is very sincere and serious in finding a final solution to our Naga political issue, he said. Patton said that the Nagaland government, under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio, had played a major role as the facilitator with seriousness and "we will continue to play an important role in finding a permanent solution sooner than later under the present dispensation."
‘Together, we will work again for peace and development’
Patton also expressed gratitude and appreciation to all those who had contributed to the victory of the NDPP-BJP alliance in the just concluded elections to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly "despite many challenges and difficulties we faced during the electioneering process." He congratulated all the elected legislators led by the CM Rio for their success. As Bharatiya Janata Party Legislature party (BLP) leader and convener for the elections 2023, Patton thanked PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President JP Nadda, and National Secretary BL Santosh for their unconditional support and guidance.
He also thanked Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, Arjun Munda, John Barla, Rajeev Chandrashekar, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, National Spokesperson and Prabhari Nagaland Nalin Kholi, Coordinator BJP Northeast states Sambit Batra, National Secretary and Co-coordinator Northeast Rituraj Sinha, among several others for their tireless efforts to ensure the victory of the BJP party. Patton also placed on record the sincere and dedicated works of the state BJP executives and karyakartas led by the president Temjen Imna Along, the state BJP legislators, and all those involved in the process.
"It is a job well done, and I congratulate each and every one of you for your relentless efforts," he said while reiterating his gratitude to the central leaders for reposing their faith and confidence in him to be the BLP leader once again. Together, we will work again for peace, development, and good governance in our state Nagaland, Patton added.
Will discuss accommodation of other pol parties
Meanwhile, Patton also said that the alliance has received letters of support from most of the political parties including Independent MLAs. However, the alliance partner (NDPP and BJP) is yet to discuss the matter of accommodating them into the present government.
Maintaining that the NDPP- BJP alliance is comfortable with 37 legislators (25 NDPP, 12 BJP) in the house of 60, Patton said “since they have submitted letter of support to the present government, we are going discuss it.”
“I have no comment,” Patton replied on being asked whether the present government is heading for another opposition-less government in the state. The matter of opposition less government is yet to be finalized, he said.
When the elected members want to join with government and if they want to give outside support, we will have to discuss, otherwise we are comfortable with 37 legislators, he said. Only after our discussion, we will take decision, Patton said.
