RPI (Athawale) to ally with NDPP-BJP combo if party wins seats

February 21, 2023 34 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur/Tseminyu | February 21

Ramdas Athawale, National President of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) said that his party will win at least 3-4 seats in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Athawale, who was in Nagaland campaigning for party candidates, addressed a press conference at the residence of Z Kasheto Yepthomi, the RPI (Athawale) party’s candidate from 5 Ghaspani-II.

He described Yepthomi as a strong candidate and said that the party has decided to appoint Yepthomi as the RPI (Athawale)’s Legislature Party leader, if the party win seats as expected.

Athawale also spoke about his party’s alliance with the BJP in Delhi in the Narendra Modi government and their unsuccessful attempts to ally with the BJP and NDPP in the state. He maintained that they are not disturbing the NDPP-BJP alliance by fielding Yepthomi in 5 Ghaspani II, a constituency where the BJP ally, NDPP has a sitting legislator in the form of Zhaleo Rio, the CM’s brother.

According to Athawale, his party will support the BJP in a post-poll scenario even though the two parties may have not have any pre-poll understanding in Nagaland.

His party, Athawale said, is a party for minorities irrespective of faith, ethnicity, and caste, and they will work for the development of the people.

Mughato Ayemi, State RPI (Athawale) President, addressed allegations that their party is a B-team of the BJP. While clarifying that they are an independent party, Ayemi said that they are not disturbing the NDPP-BJP alliance but are contesting since they have a candidate. He also mentioned that if they win seats in Nagaland, they will support the BJP-NDPP alliance.

Given the party’s electoral stance in Nagaland, Yepthomi was asked if he has considered the prospect of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio welcoming as a post-poll ally despite defeating the latter’s brother, Zhaleo. Yepthomi responded that such a scenario would not into play in government formation.

Launches campaign in Tseminyu
Earlier in the day, Athawale launched the campaign for Loguseng Semp, RPI (A) official candidate for 12 Tseminyu Assembly Constituency at Tseminyu.

The National president of (RPI-A) said his party stands firm for the social welfare of the downtrodden and Christian community and also the farming community. Stating that RPI (A) is an ally of the BJP-led NDA government in the Centre, he said that RPI (A) candidates winning the election would work with the BJP-NDPP government in the state as well.

“Once elected with a heavy majority, I will talk with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Union Minister Amit Shah for him to be in the State Cabinet minister,” he said. “Support RPI as we are working for all and also supporting reservation for general category and also the welfare of Christian community,” Athawale said.

RPI (A) Nagaland President, Mughato Ayemi said that RPI (A) is a secular political party and works for the uplift of minority communities. He also reiterated that the party’s candidate, if elected, would be working with government as the party is an ally of NDA in the Centre.

Ayemi further clarified that the RPI (A) has set up only 8 candidates out of more than 40 ticket seekers considering their prospects and desire to work for the general welfare.

Also addressing the crowd, the official candidate Loguseng Semp said he is contesting the polls to implement his vision of development and progress for Tseminyu. He assured to give his best to uplift the constituency.