BJP discontent over 20:40 deal turns into public protest

January 24, 2023 111 Views No Comment

Dharnas held in Kohima and Dimapur

Morung Express News
Kohima/Dimapur | January 24

The discontent within the BJP Nagaland with regard to the 20:40 seat sharing deal with the NDPP came out in the open as aspiring BJP poll contenders and BJP workers staged a public protest in Dimapur and Kohima respectively on January 23.

On January 22 evening, some BJP workers had assembled at the Dimapur residence of Deputy CM and BLP leader, Y Patton to express discontent at the seat sharing deal. A BJP ticket contender informed The Morung Express that the workers met with the Deputy CM and the BJP Nagaland President, Temjen Imna Along. Things reportedly flared up with videos doing the rounds on social media showing party workers having a harsh exchange of words.

While maintaining that he was not present, he said that according to information he received, Patton and Along assured the workers of a 30:30 deal. He meanwhile claimed that the 40:20 deal between the NDPP and the BJP is yet to be decided.

In the Dimapur protest on Monday, 10 intending BJP candidates took part. They were Tarie Zeliang, Tening AC; James Yaden, Tuli AC; Naiba Konyak, Tobu AC; Hukiye N Tissica, Aghunato AC; Supo Jamir, Dimapur II AC; Hukuto Khulu, Dimapur III; Cheong Konyak, Mon Town; K Konngan Konyak, Phongching AC; Temsuwati, Mokokchung AC; and Bitong Sangtam, Longkhim Chare AC.

The BJP Kohima district also staged their protest at the state BJP head office Kohima, demanding a BJP party ticket for Er Kropol Vitsu.

BJP Kohima District President, Khrielie Usou said that the Kohima district BJP workers have endorsed the candidature of former MLA Er Kropol Vitsu from 15 Southern Angami II to be the official candidate of the BJP in Kohima district. Later, the BJP Kohima district submitted a representation to the state BJP President.

The representation said that the consensus for the party candidate is based on ground assessment, thorough analysis and grassroots sentiment. It added that 15 Southern Angami II is the best performing Mandal under Kohima Region in terms of party workers, activities and directives and therefore emphasis has to be given to this Mandal.

“In the last 2018 election, alliance was honoured in the 20:40 formula seat sharing with all the 7 constituencies under Kohima region contested by the NDPP alone and the BJP as true to the alliance, played a key role in supporting them to victory,” it noted.

However, it said that for the upcoming polls, Kohima region cannot be a sacrificial lamb at the altar of one sided politics.

The Kohima BJP said that “in the case of contradictory rapport to our diplomatic calls, the Kohima District and party workers firmly reiterate to abstain from all forms of cooperation and strength to the party.”

A copy of the representation was also addressed to JP Nadda, National President, BJP; BI Santosh, National General Secretary, BJP (Org); Y Patton, Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the Nagaland BJP Legislature Party; Nalin Kohli, BJP National Spokesperson, Nagaland in-Charge; Samit Patraji, North-East states BJP in-charge; Rituraj Sinha, North- East State BJP co-in charge; and Abhay Giri, BJP Secretary (O) in-charge of Nagaland and Manipur.