Kohima, Mar 5 (IBNS): Outgoing Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang on Monday refused to quit saying his party NPF should be called to form the next government as it has emerged as the single largest party by securing 26 seats.
Zeliang's comment came a day after the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) met Nagaland governor PB Acharya to stake claim to form the state government in support of pre-poll alliance partner BJP and lone MLA of JD (U) and Independent.
Meanwhile, Convenor of BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and Assam minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Monday said that BJP will go with its pre-poll alliance partner NDPP and will form next government in support of JD (U) and the lone Independent MLA.
At a press conference which was held in Kohima in presence of MLAs of NDPP and senior BJP leader Ajay Jamwal, Himanta said BJP has already extended support to Neiphiu Rio and NDPP to form the next government.
“BJP has ruled out extending support to 15-year-old ally NPF,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
On the other hand, Y Patton has been elected as the BJP Legislative Party (BLP) leader.
Earlier, Nagaland governor PB Acharya gave 48 hours to Zeliang to prove his majority after the latter refused to resign despite his party Naga People’s Front (NPF) lost its majority in the Assembly poll results.
Acharya asked Rio to submit signatures of all 32 MLAs.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held at state capital Kohima and the new government will be formed on March 8.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be present at the swearing-in ceremony.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
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