NPF stakes claim to form government in Nagaland

By Vibhou Ganguly

Kohima, Mar 9 : The Nagaland People's Front (NPF) on Sunday staked claim to form the next government in the state.

The Nagaland People's Front leader Neiphiu Rio led 34 newly elected MLAs to the Raj Bhawan and met Governor K Shankaranarayanan, said NPF Secretary General Chubatemjen Ao.

"The Governor has said the process of the government formation will only take place when the President Rule is revoked in the state. That will be done soon," Ao told Asian News International.

The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) won 26 seats and with support of two MLAs each from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and four independents, the front reached the mark of 34.

NPF, BJP, JD-U and NCP had forged a pre-poll alliance, but they contested the elections on separate manifestos.

The Congress Party could manage to win only 22 seats.

Former Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio won from northern Angami ii seat defeating his Congress rival Sevetso by over 10,000 votes.

Nagaland Assembly Speaker Kiyanlilie Peseyie won from western Angami seat.

Former Home Minister Thenucho lost the Chazouba seat to independent Chotisuh Sazo.

Prominent Congress candidates who won their elections were former Chief Minister K L Chishi, former Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader I Imkong and C Apok Jamir, son of Goa Governor and former Chief Minister, S C Jamir.

ANI