Morung Express News
Kohima | June 27
Amidst speculations of troubled waters between the alliance partner of NDPP and BJP, Minister, Temjen Imna Along, who is also one of the government spokespersons, said that “the PDA is intact.”
Speculations brewed following the loss of the PDA consensus candidate in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election, and the ULB election where they have been in a so called ‘friendly contest.’
Speaking at a press conference, Along brushing off the speculations stated “it is just the presumption and assumption of the critics. In politics many things happen, but the core value of the PDA is always strong and will continue to give stability and good governance as far as possible, for the people of the state.”
When asked if the ULB election is seen as a test for the NDPP and BJP alliance, he opined that the people who think it is a test for the NDPP-BJP alliance are the people who want to presume to see PDA alliance to be weak.
With four more years for the general election to be held, Along said, it is committed to the unity of the PDA alliance while one or the other issues cropped up during every election is seen as normal.
He maintained that the PDA alliance under the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and Deputy Chief Ministers, Y. Patton and T.R. Zeliang have an agenda, and the agenda is Nagaland and for the issues that are there in the state today.
The PDA alliance together with the opposition-less government, Along claimed, is committed to try to facilitate in every way possible to resolve those issues together with coercive development of the state. “And that is the biggest reason that will keep the PDA alliance strong and keep on going” he stated.
On the Naga political issues, the Minister said that the state government has always been very positive and willing to facilitate the Naga political issue settlement in the “best possible way, in the fastest possible manner’ after a very long time.”
With the new NDA government at the centre led by Prime Minister, Modi, he said the state government with the PDA alliance would love to see the mitigation of the NPI positively. However, Along viewed “we also need to be assertive as a people first, and help build the confidence of the state government, and also the central government to come together, together with the political groups who are in discussions or discourse to be able to solve that.”
“Without sitting down and talking, whether it is our state government or the Nagaland political groups, or the central government, we will not be able to reach to a settlement” viewed the Minister.
He also informed that the State Government has set up a political affairs group right after the new government has been formed, and that the state government is confident of Modi’s leadership and the NDA alliance “even though we couldn’t deliver one MP.”
“The mandate of the people is respected, but sometimes the mandate of the people comes after a lot of issues are being put into our minds for a certain specific time, and after that time gets over,” said Along on the Lok Sabha election.
Nevertheless, he said that the State Government is committed to see “our” people have lasting peace for development and prosperity.
On being asked if there is a possibility of reshuffle in the present set up, Along said, he cannot comment on that, but that it is up to the state Chief Minister and Prime Minister; adding “anything that they discuss, and willing to do, can be done and it is in their power to do that.”
