Kohima: The process of government formation in Nagaland was postponed by a day on
March 4, with the crucial Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) meeting to elect its
leader to be held on March 5, as National Democratic Movement (NDM), which pledged
support to the four-party DAN increased its tally to five and Janata Dal-United (JD-
U) three.
Former Deputy Speaker and JD-U nominee was declared winner during the day from the
Longleng Assembly seat, while NDM candidate bagged the Thonknyu seat.
The results of two more seats in the 60-member House were yet to come in.
The Election Commission (EC) has asked returning officers to withhold the results of
Arkakong and Kiphire-Pungto Assembly segments after detection of irregularities and
an incident of arson.
An EC team would visit the two places on March 6.
The March 5 meeting of DAN would enable newly elected JD-U member from Longleng to
reach here as also other alliance partners, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) in-charge
of North East V Satish said.
Sources said there was all likelihood of its legislative party leader, Neiphiu Rio,
of being unanimously elected leader of DAN, which has the support of 33 Members of
Legislative Assembly (MLAs) including four independents.
The decks were cleared for Rio after octogenarian BJP legislative party leader and
former Chief Minister Hokishe Sema declined to be in the race.
NPF is the leading DAN constituent having 19 seats followed by seven of BJP.
PTI
