Two from Nagaland among BJP’s new central team

Former Nagaland BJP head  M Chuba Ao appointed as National Vice-President; MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon appointed as BJP National Spokesperson 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 26 

Former Nagaland Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) President Dr M Chuba Ao was appointed as one of the 12 National Vice-Presidents while Nagaland BJP legislator Mmhonlumo Kikon was selected as one of the Party’s National Spokesperson in the major overhaul within the ranks of the Party announced on September 26.

Dr Ao is currently the Chairman of Nagaland State Co-operative Marketing & Consumers’ Federation Ltd (MARCOFED), a post he assumed after the formation of People Democratic Alliance (PDA) Government in Nagaland in 2018. 

Kikon, Advisor for New and Renewable Energy, IT&C, Science and Technology is designated as one of the National Spokespersons.

Dr Ao and Kikon are the only representatives from the Northeast in their teams, which are part of the national office bearers announced by the BJP Central Office on Saturday.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia, and ex-Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das are three former CMs among the 12 national vice presidents.

Touted as “Team Nadda” under the leadership of BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda, three ex-Chief Ministers have been accommodated as BJP Vice Presidents while there has been a major overhaul among national general secretaries with many significant names dropped and new faces given a chance, IANS news agency reported.

Notable omission includes Ram Madhav as National Secretary and   Murlidhar Rao, who was in-charge of the southern states.

Meanwhile, congratulating the new team, Prime Minster Narendra Modi expressed hope that they would uphold the glorious tradition of the Party of serving the people.

“Congratulations and best wishes to the new team. I am confident they will uphold the glorious tradition of our Party of serving the people of India selflessly and with dedication. May they work hard to empower the poor and marginalised,” he tweeted.

Speaking to The Morung Express, Dr Ao thanked the national leadership for believing in him. “I thank the National President J P Nadda for recognising me and giving me a responsibility in the national level, and inducting me in his team” he said.

National level work is not as easy as we imagine, he shared while adding that he would give his best to do justice to the ‘great responsibility’ assigned to him.

“We will work together with the people with proper understanding. It is our duty to build a very strong India,” he added.

Kikon expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modij and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah,National President J P Nadda and National General Secretary (Org) B L Santosh and particularly Ram Madhav and Ajay Jamwal for reposing their trust and confidence in him.

“It is personally a privilege and an exciting opportunity to serve under the dynamic leadership of Shri J P Nadda and the entire team,” he said, and added that he would “strive harder to serve the position and the office with dedication and commitment.”

BJP Nagaland, CM congratulate
Meanwhile, the BJP Nagaland State Unit congratulating the two said that both leaders have been doing “commendable work” for the upliftment for the Party in the state as well as the people in their various capacities over the years.

The two ‘dynamic and capable leaders’ have been given due recognition by the Central leadership, a statement issued by the State BJP media cell said, further thanking the Party president Nadda and the central team for the appointment. 
The state BJP unit also assured full cooperation to them for the progress of the Party. 

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio also took to Twitter to congratulate the new BJP’s appointees and wished both a “successful tenure.”