Nirendra Dev
NEW DELHI, MARCH 13: The BJP is all set to get its first Naga parliamentarian in the Upper House, Rajya Sabha.
The NDPP leadership on Sunday conveyed to senior BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah that the party would honour its words and ensure victory of BJP nominee to the Rajya Sabha.
“If such a thing happens, BJP will for the first time get their own Naga lawmaker in Indian Parliament”, a source said.
The assurance to this effect was conveyed formally to Shah by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and NDPP chief Chingwang Konyak in a meeting here on Sunday evening.
A BJP source in Delhi said there was no discussion on the Naga political issue and the peace talks.
Sources further said Nagaland BJP President Imna Along and Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton met Home Minister Shah separately and discussed party matters.
Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to meet Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday or Tuesday to discuss about the Naga peace talks and related developments.
The second part of the Budget session of Parliament begins on Monday.
Earlier in the day Rio, who is camping in Delhi since the past few days, met Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.
“Called on Shri Arjun Munda, Honourable Union Minister for Tribal Affairs. We had a fruitful discussion regarding welfare schemes under the Ministry for the State of Nagaland. Grateful to him for his concern and continued support”, Rio tweeted.
During the next round of meeting, Rio is expected to apprise the Home Minister on the resolution adopted by the Nagaland Consultative Committee wherein all important leaders, State legislators and representatives of social organisations including GBs’ Federation have pressed for ‘early solution to the Naga political problem and signing of a peace agreement’.
Polling for Rajya Sabha is to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 31 and the counting of votes will be taken up at 5 p.m. on the same day.
However, in Nagaland the result may be out on March 24 as that is the last day of withdrawal of names. It is unlikely there will be any contest in Nagaland for the lone seat to the House of Elders.
