Dimapur, March 2 (MExN): The JD (U), which won one seat (Tamlu A/C) in the state Assembly election, said that it will act as the salt in the DAN coalition. The party’s Nagaland unit expressed this at a press conference held today at its head office in Walford Colony.
Congratulating the people of Nagaland on electing its leaders, JD (U) General Secretary and Nagaland in-charge, Arun Kumar Srivastava said, “The Congress brought its big leaders and used central forces excessively. In spite of this, the people of Nagaland have voted for stability and for Naga peace, giving importance to its youth, thus bringing DAN back to power.”
The JD (U) and BJP have expressed their full cooperation and support to the DAN government which unanimously elected Neiphiu Rio as its leader.
Expressing shock over NCP’s desire to join the DAN coalition, Srivastava said the NCP should instead focus on forming a strong opposition front. “If the opposition does its work properly, the ruling front can do better for the people,” said Srivastava at the press conference. “Congress has never done a good job as opposition leader so NCP has a good chance in Nagaland,” he iterated.
At the meeting held yesterday in Kohima, Srivastava said he raised the issue of no women being in it. “When India can have capable prime minister, president and many chief ministers who are women, why not in Nagaland?” 50% of the population ought to be represented, said Srivastava.
As regards the Naga peace talks, the JD (U) said the DAN should take an initiative here, while they will support it from the centre.
When asked if their elected candidate hopes to make it to Rio’s cabinet, Srivastava conveyed confidence in Rio’s statement that the cabinet will be formed of all coalition partners. While pointing to underground involvement and other poll discrepancies in Liphayan and Soshan villages in Wokha district as well as in Shamator, the JD (U) proposed to expand its network in the state over the next six months.
