NLA issues instructions for Presidential poll, DAN divided

Kohima, July 18 (UNI) The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) today announced that voting for the Presidential Elections in the state would be held tomorrow between 1000-1700 hours at the New Assembly Secretariat Complex.

Nagaland Assembly Secretary Benjamir Newmai will be the Assistant Returning Officer for the election.

Meanwhile, the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), which includes NDA constituents, still seems to be divided on the issue. While BJP, JD(U) and Samata Party will be supporting NDA-backed independent candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF), which leads the alliance in the state, has decided on 'conscience voting', which may lead to a floor-crossing among its members during the election.

Referring to the decision of the party meeting in the first week of this month, NPF Secretary General Chubatemjen said the NPF had reaffirmed its committment to the pre-poll alliance of the DAN and the party would not issue any whip for the election to the office of the President of India, but allowed 'conscience voting' to the legislators both in Parliament and the State Assembly.

However, the Opposition Congress, with its 17 members in the house will vote for UPA-Left parties' candidate Pratibha Patil, party sources said here today.

UNI