Guwahati: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit in Nagaland has decided to finalize the candidate list by January 31, 2023.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio asserted that the seat-sharing arrangement with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is finalised and cannot be changed.
When asked if the seat distribution between the NDPP and BJP would be changed to the 30:30 ratio as sought by the BJP foot soldiers, Rio stated categorically that this would not occur.
The chief minister of Nagaland declared that his party would abide by all previous agreements.
Rio said, “Absolutely not. It has already been determined. I’ve already stated that we will stand by our decision, and everyone was there when we made it. So there is no problem.”
A 40:20 seat distribution formula was agreed upon by representatives of the NDPP and the BJP central leadership at a meeting in New Delhi. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was also present.
Moreover, Neiphiu Rio has made it clear that there won’t be any friendly conflict between the NDPP and the BJP. Rio also stated that the NDPP candidate list will be released this month.
“I expect it will be unveiled this month. There will be no friendly competition. In terms of seat sharing, we will back the BJP in their seat, and they will back us in ours “Rio said.