Nagaland ULB Polls 2024: Parties under PDA yet to decide on friendly or seat-sharing contest

NPF Leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said that this election is very important for NPF as this election will show the strength of the party in the grassroots level.

As the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections in Nagaland approach, political parties aligned under the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) are deliberating on whether to go for seat-sharing or a friendly contest.

The present PDA government in Nagaland comprises of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nationalist Congress Party ( NCP) Janta Dal (U), RPI (Athawale), LJP (Ram Vilas), National People’s Party (NPP), Naga People’s Front (NPF) and 4 independent candidates.

Nagaland has an oppositionless government because all parties joined hands in 2021 for an early solution to the Naga peace talks.

“We call ourselves an oppositionless government. Now we are all under PDA. So, if there is going to be seat sharing then there should be seat sharing in all the political parties and if there is going to be a friendly contest then there should be a friendly contest with the political parties,” NPF Leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said. 

Nienu said that this election is very important for NPF as this election will show the strength of the party in the grassroots level.

He said that his party is in consultation with its party members to set up candidates, but a final decision is yet to be taken as NPF is a part of the PDA government.

Nienu further said that one “yardstick” has to be applied to all the political parties and not otherwise.

Meanwhile, BJP State President Benjamin Yeptho informed that the party is in consultation with its central leaders and no final decision has been taken yet. He said that BJP and their alliance partner NDPP is yet to have a sitting to finalise on this matter.

NCP leader Vanthungo Odyuo also said that the party is in consultation to set up candidates however, it is awaiting for a signal from NDPP-BJP whether there will be seat sharing or the parties will go solo.

On the other hand, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has also confirmed that it will be setting up candidates in the upcoming ULB Polls.

The Urban Local Body elections is being held in Nagaland after nearly two decades.

There are 3 Municipal Councils–Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) and Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) and 36 Town Councils.

Notably, for the first time, the elections will be held with 33 per cent reservation for women, aiming to enhance gender representation in municipal and town councils.
The results will be declared on June 29.

It may be mentioned here that the last successful ULB polls were held in 2004 without the inclusion of 33% women reservation.

Also Read: Culprits will be booked under NSA: Nagaland Govt on extortion, illegal tax issues raised by industry bodies

COMMENTS