NPF, Congress hope to improve tally

Kohima, Feb 24 (IANS) A day after Nagaland recorded 83 percent polling in the state assembly elections, Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) Sunday exuded confidence of crossing the majority figure.

“We’re confident of securing more than the required majority. At least 32 NPF candidates will make it to the Nagaland assembly to form the government,” Kru Zakie, a party general secretary, told IANS.

The votes will be counted Feb 28.

A total of 188 candidates were in the fray, including two women, in the election in this insurgency-hit north-eastern state bordering Myanmar.

NPF, the main constituent of ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), fielded candidates in all the 60 seats while the opposition Congress put up 57 candidates.

“Our party (NPF) is confident of securing the majority but we have formed an alliance with the BJP and the JD-U to strengthen the DAN further and bring a stable government to Nagaland against the Congress,” Zakie said.

The Congress expects to secure 25 seats.

“We are working out on strategies to join hands with like-minded parties and Independent candidates,” Congress leader and former minister I. Imkong said.

He accused NFP supporters of proxy voting in several polling stations

“We are going to demand repolling in at least six polling stations,” he said.

Imkong said the seizure of unaccounted cash from NPF candidates ahead of the polls proved that there was corruption in the NPF.

He was referring to the resignation of state home minister Imkong L. Imchen after cash amounting to more than Rs.1 crore and weapons were seized from his vehicle days before voting.

The Congress, he said, also suffered a setback after candidate for Tuensang Sadar I constituency P. Chuba Chang, an outgoing legislator, died Friday — a day before polling.

The polling in the constituency was adjourned.

IANS 2013-02-24 18:02:05