NDPP-BJP will come to power with absolute majority: Rio

Peren, February 16 (MExN): Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) chief ministerial candidate Neiphiu Rio has exuded confidence that the NDPP-BJP alliance will come to power with absolute majority.  

Addressing series of election rallies in various places of Peren district such as Tening, Peren, Athibung and Jalukie on February 15, Rio further said although the BJP had been in alliance with the NPF for the last 15 years, it favoured the newly floated NDPP as it had lost confidence in the NPF leadership.  

According to a press release from NDPP Media & Communication Committee, Rio accused the TR Zeliang government of being “riddled with massive corruption, instability, misgovernance, propaganda and lies which had severely damaged the prospects of the NPF Party.”  

With regard to the “unabated propaganda” against the NDPP-BJP alliance, Rio said, “The BJP has been in an alliance with the NPF since 2003…We are not going to join the BJP. But we have to maintain a good rapport with the Central Government so that we can expedite the peace process and carry forward the development agenda of the Central Government for the benefit of our people and by empowering our youths and people living in rural areas.”  

The central BJP leaders, he stated, were aware the Nagas have an ongoing political issue and BJP accords it special respect. The BJP settled for only 20 seats and agreed to let the NDPP contest in 40 seats after he conveyed to them about Nagaland being a Christian dominated state and the importance of respecting the faith of the Nagas, Rio added.  

“We have not aligned with the BJP to convert but to protect our rights as enshrined in Article 371 (A)... Article 25-28 under the Constitution of India guarantees secularism and the freedom of religion to all its citizens and therefore, no one needs to fear since it is our constitutional right to profess the faith of our choice. We are Christians and there is no compromise on that,” the NDPP chief ministerial candidate asserted.  

Meanwhile, Rio questioned the differing views of the NPF president and the Chief Minister on their opposite views regarding the NPF party’s alliance with the BJP.  

In Jalukie, Rio appealed to the people to elect NDPP candidate Iherie Ndang and assured to induct him into the Cabinet if elected, after the NDPP-BJP storms to power. “It is up to you to choose which side you want to be on. I hope that you will heed my words and support our party candidate because choosing otherwise is only going to land you in the opposition,” Rio said.