NPF signs pre- poll alliance with NPP

Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 14

The Naga People’s Front (NPF) and National People’s Party (NPP) has reached a pre-poll alliance and an agreement has already been inked.   Source told The Morung Express that discussion was also on with Janata Dal (United) for pre-poll alliance but the outcome was yet to be confirmed at the time of filling this report.  

Talking to media persons on the sideline of NPF Kohima division general election kick-off rally here at NPF central office conference hall, Chief Minister T.R Zeliang confirmed the same and revealed that the NPF have reached official pre-poll alliance with NPP a day ago. “But with the JD (U), we are going to sit this evening and we are going to finalize.”  

On being asked whether he see any option of NDPP, BJP and NPF coming together in case of any hung assembly, Zeliang said “I do not foresee NDPP and NPF coming together. There will not be a hung assembly.”  

Zeliang, however, asserted that in the case of BJP, the NPF party have not closed door to them. “NPF have not severed ties on them. We still have alliance with BJP; he said adding that two ministers including one advisor are still under his ministry. “So our alliance continues. It is up to them to decide,” he said adding that the door is still open to BJP if they are willing to come back to NPF.  

Zeliang also revealed that BJP central leaders tried to impose and demanded 15 seats from the NPF, which was not practicable and that imposition cannot take place.    

Summoned CMO officials to appear before NIA

On the report of National Investigation Agency (NIA) summoning 3 officials of Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) Nagaland for questioning in connection with alleged extortion charges, the Chief Minister said, “They will be going. There is no problem.”  

On being asked whether it was politically motivated in nature, he said “We cannot say. But this is old case,” adding that the same issue came up in the month of July and August last year and he had clarified on the same.  

Asserting that CMO has nothing to do with it, he said “They were summoned and they will go and explain their position.”  

On the action taken by the state government on government officials demanding that NIA should be called back, Zeliang said, “Some unwanted harassment has taken place according to them so they have agitated.”  

Zeliang said the state government had reported the matter to the home ministry that they (NIA) should go within the jurisdiction of their assignments and they should not go beyond the assignments. “That is what we told the home ministry. Let us hope they will go according to the law,” he said.