NPF keeps options open on post-poll alliance at Centre
Ashikho Pfuzhe
Dimapur | May 14
Two days ahead of the declaration of results to the lone Lok Sabha seat and by-poll to four assembly seats in the state, the ruling Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) is already in celebration-mode as the party expects to sweep both the Lok Sabha and assembly seats. “We are hopeful of winning all four assembly seats as well as the Lok Sabha seat,” a confident NPF president and Minister for Urban Development Dr. Shurhozelie said today.
Except for 41 Tizit A/C where the RJD candidate might spring a surprise, majority of NPF leaders and party workers predict another victory over the rival Congress party this election too. Even if the NPF were to lose the Tizit seat, the party seems to be not too bothered. “There may be different views and predictions but we still hope to win Tizit too. Even if we don’t and RJD wins, the latter will be on our side. In Nagaland, whatever the alliance, it’s always the Congress versus all other political parties. No other party will go along with the Congress,” the NPF president said.
On Wednesday’s exit poll telecast by a TV channel where the NPF was shown on the side of parties supporting BJP-led NDA, Shurhozelie said that the NPF has not given any commitment so far. Asked if the NPF would extend support to the Congress-led UPA if the latter comes to power, he said the NPF party would not commit anything as of now.
The veteran regionalist however admitted that for a small state like Nagaland, the blessing of the government at the Centre was always needed. That is why the NPF-led DAN government had for the last 6-7 years extended issue-based support to the UPA Government, including the last presidential election where almost all DAN legislators had voted in favour of Pratibha Patil, he said.
“But look at the way the UPA Government repaid us. Without any valid reasons, the Centre imposed President’s Rule in Nagaland through undemocratic means although our honourable Speaker had done the right thing,” Shurhozelie said. He was referring to the imposition of President’s Rule in January 2008 after the Speaker barred three Independent legislators from taking part in the no-trust motion against the DAN Government. He said such an action showed that the Congress party ‘has scant regard for democracy’.
Queried on the possibility of a reshuffle in the DAN ministry after the declaration of the assembly election results on May 16, the NPF president ruled out any change in the ministry. “No such thing. For us (NPF), whether we have 36 or 40 MLAs, we will maintain the same position,” he said and added that the party would not go against the pre-poll alliance it had entered into with other DAN partners.
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