DIMAPUR, MARCH 2 (MExN): A day before results to the Nagaland elections is announced, State Chief Minister TR Zeliang was confident that the Naga People’s Front (NPF) would form and provide a stable government.
In an interview with the Indian Express, the incumbent Chief Minister predicted a minimum of 27 seats for the NPF, while believing that he would be forming the next government in alliance with the National People’s Party (NPP) and the Janata Dal (United).
It may be noted that the NPP has entered into a pre-poll alliance, while the JDU had in the run up to the polls refrained from committing itself to any alliance.
The NPF’s arch rival in this election, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) which in alliance with the BJP, has meanwhile fared well in a couple of exit polls. These polls predict that the Neiphiu Rio led NDPP and its alliance partner BJP will form a strong enough front to take reins in the state.
The Nagaland CM was however confident despite the exit polls. In the interview, he was quoted as stating: “We can visualise that we will have a stable government. Rio as NPF MP used to come back and create problems within the NPF house. Crisis was within the house. BJP did not create any problem. If he (Rio) is in opposition we are happy. Now he has been shifted to a new party established by him, any kind of objection, allegation, we shall answer and our house will be clean. But as long as he remains with us Rio knows how to burn down his own house. We are now peaceful. And hope that we can provide stable government and development.”
If brought to power, Zeliang said priorities included revamping education system, home department, and healthcare in the state. “We tried, but because of instability in the government, we could not concentrate properly. Education ministers Yitachu and Tokheho tried their best,” he said.
On Nagaland’s despicable roads, which have been a constant blot on the state, Zeliang claimed that he has been “fighting with the Centre that you build the road and do not provide fund for maintenance. Roads in hill sectors need regular maintenance, especially during rains.”
Who will repair? He questioned, while latching on to the often used “we don’t have funds.” He however said that “now central government is coming forward,” and out that the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane road is under construction. “In two-three years, roads will be ok in Nagaland, including parts of national highways maintained by the state and roads within the towns.”
On being asked whether corruption was responsible for bad roads, the CM remained bullish, while choosing to focus on changes in the system. He said: “People may cry out about corruption, but what is needed is a change in the system. People talk of corruption, but they should be specific about which road contractor didn’t execute work properly.” “Instead of levelling accusations of corruption, they should point out specific projects,” Zeliang stated.
Commenting on the Naga political issue, the Chief Minister informed that the state government has still “not received anything (details about content of framework agreement) in black and white.” “If they (the Centre) are serious, then the solution can happen within a few months time. If they are not serious, then it will prolong,” Zeliang said.
On concerns from other states that any solution would impinge on their territorial integrity, the CM said: “Assam and Manipur do not want their territory to be altered. We insisted on NSCN-IM and other six Naga political groups that we should go for emotional integration and social integration instead of going straight for geographical integration. I think they also understood.”
He further reiterated his government’s insistence on getting the NSCN (K) back into the dialogue process.
“We have appealed to the Centre that NSCN (K) should be invited to sign ceasefire agreement and join the dialogue. I have written letters to NSCN (K) collective leadership last year and early part of this year that they should continue dialogue with Myanmar government and come to a conclusion as also to sign ceasefire agreement and join dialogue so that it will be a permanent settlement and permanent peace will be brought into our land. I have not received any positive reply, but hope they will also sign the ceasefire agreement which is the desire of the people,” Zeliang said.
The CM meanwhile opined that the 2018 election was “better.” “As far as Clean Election was concerned, it was implemented to some extent,” he said.
Zeliang also claimed that “there were some changes in general – people didn’t use alcohol, there were no feasts, and no youth camps,” however adding that “people were aggressive as the election momentum picked up late with expectations of the solution coming before election.”
Counting of votes will be held on March 3.
