BJP scouting for new ally in Nagaland, holds alliance talks with former chief minister Neiphiu Rio

GUWAHATI: National Democratic Political Party (NDPP), a regional political outfit, has started exploring possibility of alliance with BJP.

Former Nagaland chief minister and Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio recently resigned from ruling Naga Peoples Front (NPF) and joined the NDPP.


Rio held meeting with Convener of Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP’s national general secretary Ram Madhav in Guwahati on Saturday.

BJP is a partner in the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN). DAN is led by regional political party NPF, which is an old ally of Saffron party in the state.

Rio told ET, “We have discussed possibility of alliance with BJP for assembly polls. My party has asked me to carry out the negotiations.”

He said, “BJP has assured that it will convey its decision if there will be alliance or not. I think they (BJP) has given time to NPF to spell out its mind.”

Ruling NPF has been caught in leadership tussle with the state witnessing as many as two chief minister in last one year.

Himanta Biswa Sarma told ET added, “In Nagaland we are trying to bring reconciliation between the Chief Minister, T R Zeliang, Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu president of Naga Peoples Front and Former Nagaland chief minister and Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio.”

MLA Vikho-o Yhoshu resigned from Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He also resigned from NPF. Recently former minister and MLA Y.Patton resigned from the assembly.

Political observers said, “The happenings in Nagaland are pointing to internal turmoil in the ruling NPF.”

A senior NPF leader said, “A section of NPF MLAs are gravitating towards BJP and exploring option of joining BJP before polls. It may be a rerun of Arunachal Pradesh where majority MLAs of Congress joined a regional party and than joined BJP. “

Meanwhile Naga Hoho the apex tribal body of Nagas has retreated its call for boycott of assembly election on February 27. The body is seeking solution before election to several decade old Naga political problem.

Chuba Ozukum, President of Naga Hoho said the solution is not possible if election is held. A team from Hoho will meet interlocutor R.N Ravi in this regard. Hoho will continue to pressurize Centre to defer the election.


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