Guwahati: Soon after the Election Commission on Thurs-day announced poll dates for the Assembly elections in Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland, political polarisation has started in Nagaland, with former chief minister and veteran leader of ruling Nagaland People’s Front Neiphu Rio quitting the party and joining a new regional party — the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).
The EC announced that polling for the Tripura Assembly would be held on February 18, while the elections in Meghalaya and Nagaland are scheduled to take place on February 27. Counting for all the three states will be held on March 3.
Pointing out that Mr Rio’s resignation would led to exodus of many more leaders from the ruling NPF, sources in Nagaland BJP told this newspaper that BJP is all set to forge an alliance with NDPP.
The problem started after the NPF, led by former CM Shurhozelie Leizeitsu, was preparing to severe their ties with the BJP.
Indicating that joint alliance of the BJP and NDPP would declare Mr Rio as their chief ministerial candidate in Nagal-and, sources said that BJP central leadership has also approved the idea of contesting the Nagaland polls under the leadership of Mr Rio, a three-time CM and lone MP from the state.
Though former Congre-ss veteran Chingwang Konya heads fledgling NDPP, sources said that present leadership of the NDPP was prepared to contest the ensuing polls under Mr Rio.
In a related development, Nagaland CM T.R. Zeliang is also weighing the option of leaving the NPF and may join the National People’s Party.
