Dimapur, March 8 (MExN): The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has made it clear that it will join the NDPP-BJP alliance in Nagaland, ensuring that the state sees another opposition-less government. Its National President Sharad Pawar has approved the move, as per a press release issued by the party’s National General Secretary Narendra Verma on Wednesday.
With seven seats, the NCP was the largest party in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly outside of the NDPP-BJP combine and it had the numbers to claim the Leader of the Opposition position. However, as per the release, the newly elected MLAs and the NCP local unit of Nagaland were of the opinion that the party must be part of the government, “in the larger interest of State of Nagaland and our own good relationship with N Rio.”
According to the release, the final decision was left to the NCP National President Sharad Pawar. “On Tuesday morning, after listening to the North East in-charge, he took decision to accept the leadership of N Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland,” it added.
Pawar is also said to have cleared the proposed list of NCP Legislature Party (NCPLP) Leader and his team. Accordingly, Er Picto Shohe will be the leader of the NCPLP; P Longon as Deputy Leader; Namri Nchang as Chief Whip; Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe as Whip and S Toiho Yeptho as Spokesperson.
