DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 7 (MExN): Singing the praise of “Rio government”, National secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party, Dr. Jimmy George said that it had done a lot for Nagaland. Though an alliance with the NPF party is not concieved to be disagreeable, George said it was unlikely to happen since the NPF was in alliance with a non-secular party in the BJP. “We cannot have any alliance with a non-secular party”, he asserted.
Speaking to the media during a press confidence at Circuit House, Dimapur, the visiting National Secretary disclosed that at least 25 candidates for the party are confirmed and expressed confidence of bagging 7 to 10 seats in the election. Even as the party waits for the declaration of candidates by the INC and the NPF parties, the George said that the first phase of the candidate declaration for the NCP will be declared in a few days now.
Dr. Jimmy George disclosed that he had met with the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio at his residence but he dismissed any speculations of Rio joining the NCP saying that Rio is ‘the leader of a strong party’ hence there was no question of him leaving his party. George said that his meeting had been non-political and because they were ‘friends’, but when questioned on if the party would consider giving a ticket to the Nagaland Chief Minister if he were to seek it, George heartily replied “Why not?”.
Interestingly, though the in alliance with the Congress at the Centre, the NCP secretary went out of his way to put down the Congress party saying that there could have been more developments in the state, if the Congress in the Centre had been more supportive. “Unfortunately the Congress (INC) is acting only in political interest” he lamented. Referring to the Opposition party in the State, George also expressed displeasure saying that fighting between different parties must only be till election and after that, whether ruling or election, should act in the interest of the state. “Opposition is not only for opposing but also for proposing”, he emphasized and said that it was more so for a state like Nagaland which is completely dependent on the Centre for funds.
Expressing strong affiliation with the north east people, George said that the party is a national party only because of the North-Eastern states. Even in the case of Nagaland, this time the NCP is banking heavily on young candidates. George reasoned that the NCP at the Centre had given maximum help to the people of Nagaland. Talking about the various developmental schemes Nagaland had received especially in Agriculture sectors, George said that it was because of Sharad Pawar was heading the Ministry. The State President of the party, Y. Sulangthang H. Lotha, who was also present at the press conference reinforced the need to vote the party into power saying that, the NCP was the only national party which had documented its support for the Naga peace process in the form of a resolution of the party.
Meanwhile Dr. Jimmy George said that the NCP will go to election under the party state president Sulangthang H. Lotha, but he also informed that Purno Sangma will also be visiting Nagaland to campaign for the party.
