There is magnanimous relationship in NDPP-BJP alliance: Temjen Imna Along

Lirimong Sangtam is PDA’s consensus candidate

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 14

Nagaland state BJP president Temjen Imna Along today handed over the party ticket to the intending Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Lirimong Sangtam for the bye-election to 60 Pungro- Kiphire Assembly Constituency.

Imna Along, who is also co-convenor of the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) and Minister for Higher & Technical Education and Tribal Affairs, thanked the NDPP leadership for agreeing to put up the BJP candidate as PDA consensus candidate in Pungro.

 “This is a magnanimous relationship of the PDA where the NDPP and BJP alliance is searching forward towards a collective role to uplift and empower the people of Nagaland,” Along maintained.

Imna Along declared that the alliance will work together to ensure success for Lirimong Sangtam in this election, while calling upon all rank and file of BJP party in the state to extend their support and contribute in whichever way they can.

He also appealed all the rank and file of NDPP party to help the BJP in achieving their common goal in making the PDA alliance stronger.

“We also assure the NDPP partner that in your electioneering, wherever it may be, we will stand with you and we will abide by the spirit of alliance,” Imna Along said, assuring that BJP will also stand with NDPP for the success of its candidate in the 14th Southern Angami -1 A/C.

Also speaking at the programme, Abu Metha, advisor to Chief Minister Nagaland and secretary general Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) conveyed greetings on behalf of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and NDPP president Chingwang Konyak.

Stating that the NDPP has a strong and energetic presence in 60 Pungro-Kiphire A/C, Metha said that the party was very keen to put up a candidate. However, after deliberations with BJP leadership, PDA Coordination Committee as well as central BJP leaders, the NDPP has agreed to set up a BJP candidate as our consensus candidate for this constituency, he added.

As such, “I bring the mandate of the Chief Minister and mandate of NDPP president that all rank and file of the NDPP in this constituency and district (Kiphire) will extend our full fledged support to BJP candidate,” Metha declared.

Also touching on pre-poll alliance of PDA wherein the NDPP and BJP has a seat sharing formula during 2018 general elections, Metha said that the NDPP is happy and proud to have BJP as alliance partner.

“We assure you that we will work closely and we will continue to partner as one,” said Metha adding that the support of NDPP will come in the form of deeds, not in words.

The people of Nagaland have given mandate to the PDA alliance and we will uphold the mandate of the people, he maintained.

He also requested ‘BJP friends’ to increase and improve “our relationship, understanding and constantly respect the mandate of the people.”

Meanwhile, Metha urged upon the BJP leaders of the state to impress upon the Government of India to expedite the peace process and bring early solution to the Indo- Naga political problem.

“Naga people have been crying for peace, for progress and for settlement of the decade old Naga political problem,” Metha said.

“This ticket represents the voice of PDA,” said BJP National spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon.

“We will contest not just BJP candidate but a candidate of PDA under Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ (Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust,’” he said.

Thanking all the party workers from 60th Pungro- Kiphire A/C as well as 59th Seyochung- Sitimi A/C for having faith in him, Lirimong Sangtam assured that when elected, he will serve the people honestly and bring glory to the BJP party in the state.

I respect the principles of BJP party; he said and at the same time honoured the principle of PDA alliance.

Thsangse L Sangtam, BJP state vice president and in-charge of Kiphire district BJP and V Kashiho Sangtam, Minister for Soil & Water Conservation and Geology & Mining and Minister in-charge of Kiphire district also spoke at the function.

Nagaland’s Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Neiba Kronu and several other dignitaries were also present at the function.