Kohima, Jan. 15: Barely a week after its formation, differences have started cropping up in the state’s anti-Congress front — the Nagaland Democratic Alliance. The bone of contention is the sharing of seats among coalition partners with the BJP seeking “priority” over Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) which is the offshoot of the oldest Opposition party in the state, the United Democratic Front (UDF). According to the NPF, seats should be shared on the basis of “support base”.
“Since we have a strong presence in all the 60 Assembly constituencies in the state, unlike the BJP which is yet to open an account, we should get priority over other alliance partners,” a senior NPF leader said.
Brushing aside NPF’s claim, BJP spokesman Ato Yepthomi said: “The NPF should not gauge their strength on the basis of history. They may be the offshoot of the oldest Opposition party, but it is not the UDF but the NPF which is going to contest the elections. And like us, the NPF is also yet to open an account”.
The BJP said since it has to lead the alliance, it must have the freedom to choose where the party will contest. Former Nagaland chief minister and BJP national executive member Hokishe Sema was named the convenor of the front after NPF leaders met defence minister George Fernandes in New Delhi. The front, apart from the BJP and the NPF, also includes the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Samata Party and Janata Dal (United).
Worried over the BJP’s demand, NPF adviser Shurhozelie Angami said by speaking to NDA convenor George Fernandes, the party had sought support of the NDA and not of any particular party.
On the issue of BJP leading the alliance, he said since the NDA has the BJP as the biggest constituent, the alliance was agreed to be led by Hokishe Sema. Going a step further, BJP president N. Rhetso said the state unit was not even consulted while agreeing on the alliance.
After a formal meeting of the party with Union minister for rural development Anansaheb M.K. Patil in Dimapur, tempers have moderated. New developments on the crucial issue are likely to take place at the joint meeting with the NPF scheduled for January 19. The NPF held its party meeting yesterday to resolve internal affairs.
The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland — a coalition of five non-Congress parties — is likely to put up a BJP candidate against chief minister S.C. Jamir in the coming polls, adds our New Delhi correspondent.
“The Nagaland People’s Front has dropped hints that it would like to field a candidate from our party against the chief minister. But everything depends on the equations that emerge later,” Nagaland BJP general secretary O. Mozamo Ngullie said.