BJP dumps NPF, picks new ally in Nagaland

Guwahati: The BJP has decided to forge an alliance with the newly-floated Nationalist Democratic People’s Party (NDPP) led by former chief minister and MP Neiphiu Rio for the February 27 Assembly poll in Nagaland.

The BJP’s decision to align with NDPP and dump its 15-year-old alliance partner, the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF), was taken in New Delhi on Friday at a meeting between BJP president Amit Shah and Mr Rio.

BJP’s Nagaland president Visasolie Lhoungu was also present in the meeting, party’s state media cell convener K. James Vizo said in Kohima on Saturday.

In Guwahati, Union minister of state Kiren Rijiju, accompanied by Mr Rio, said that out of the 60 Assembly seats the NDPP will contest 40 seats while the BJP is going to field candidates in 20.

“We are going to contest the elections under the leadership of Mr Rio,” said Mr Rijiju.