Kohima: A day after the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) met Nagaland governor PB Acharya and staked claim to form new government in support of pre-poll alliance BJP and lone MLA of JD (U) and Independent, outgoing Chief Minister TR Zeliang refused to quit and said that, NPF should be called to form the government as his party emerged as a largest party by securing 26 seats.
Meanwhile, Convenor of BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and Assam minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that, BJP will go with its pre-poll alliance partner NDPP and BJP-NDPP will form next government in support of JD (U) and the lone Independent MLA.
Addressing a press conference held at Hotel Vivor in Kohima in presence of MLAs of NDPP and senior BJP leader Ajay Jamwal, Himanta said that, BJP has already extended support to Neiphiu Rio and NDPP to form next government.
“BJP has ruled out extending support to 15-year-old ally NPF,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
On the other hand, Y Patton has been elected as the BJP Legislative Party (BLP) leader.
Earlier, Nagaland governor PB Acharya has been given 48 hours to incumbent Chief Minister TR Zeliang to prove his majority after Zeliang refused to resign despite his party Naga People’s Front (NPF) losing its majority in the assembly polls results.
On Sunday, a delegation team of BJP and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) led by Chief Ministerial candidate Neiphiu Rio and senior BJP leader Ram Madhav had met Nagaland governor PB Acharya at the Raj Bhawan in Kohima and staked a claim to form new government and claimed support of 32 newly elected MLAs in the 60-member house.
Acharya asked Rio to submit signatures of all 32 MLAs.
The Nagaland governor has also asked TR Zeliang to prove his majority within 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the new government will form on March 8 and sworn in ceremony to be held at Kohima.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi would likely to presence in the sworn in ceremonial function.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
