NCP Backs Neiphiu Rio-Led NDPP-BJP Govt In Nagaland, Sharad Pawar Says Support To CM Not Saffron Party

Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has decided to extend its support to the Neiphiu Rio government in Nagaland. 

Sharad Pawar has given his nod to the Nagaland unit of the party to extend its support to the NDPP-BJP government.

Source : PTI

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has decided to extend its support to the Neiphiu Rio government in Nagaland. This is a surprising move from the NCP since the party is a major opponent of the BJP, which is one of the alliance partners in the Nagaland government, in Maharashtra and other states.

In a statement, NCP's in-charge of Northeast Narendra Verma said that the NCP was awaiting party chief Sharad Pawar's nod to extend its support to the NDPP-BJP government "in the larger interest of the state". The statement did not mention the BJP, but Verma claimed that the decision was taken in the interest of the State of Nagaland and the party's good ties with Rio.

The NCP's support to the government comes after all the other parties in the assembly, including NPP, NPF, Lok Janshakti Party LJP (Ram Vilas), Republican Party of India (Athawale), Janata Dal (United) and Independents, extended their support.

Explaining his decision, Sharad Pawar said that his party's support was not for the BJP but for Chief Minister Rio. He further said that the decision was taken to maintain political stability in Nagaland. Sharad Pawar said that seven members of NCP had been elected in the Nagaland Assembly elections. During the elections, the Chief Minister had our support. Pawar said that NCP's understanding is with the Chief Minister.

In the recent Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections, the NDPP won 25 seats and the BJP won 12 seats, while the NCP won seven seats. Although the NCP has the numbers to claim the Leader of the Opposition position, its MLAs expressed their desire to join the government during Verma's visit to Nagaland last week. Neiphiu Rio was sworn in as Chief Minister for the fifth time on Tuesday, and his Cabinet comprises seven ministers from the NDPP and five from the BJP. With the formation of this government, the state seems to be heading towards another Opposition-less government similar to the one formed in 2021.