Kohima Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday asserted that the alliance between the NDPP and the BJP is "normal and still strong" even though it failed to win the only Lok Sabha seat in the northeastern state.
However, Rio, also president of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), claimed that the party lost the polls for being an ally of the Saffron Party, accused of "causing atrocities on religious minorities, including Christians."
The consensus NDPP and BJP candidate lost to the Congress candidate in the Lok Sabha polls in the Christian-majority state.
Asked if his party's relationship with the BJP had deteriorated after the election defeat, Rio said: "Our alliance is normal and strong as it is."
Rio was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a congratulatory program for NDPP candidates who won in the recently held civic elections in the state.
Congress candidate S Supongmeren Jamir won by over 50,000 votes in the lone Lok Sabha seat, although the party has not had a single MLA in the state since 2014.
Earlier, speaking at the function, Rio claimed that the NDPP lost the Lok Sabha polls for being an ally of the BJP, which has been accused of causing atrocities against religious minorities, including Christians.
He also cited that the Assam government passed the Assam Healing Practices (Prevention of Evil) Bill, 2024 before the Lok Sabha elections, which has been considered an "anti-Christian law".
The NDPP will not compromise on the traditions, culture, customs and religion of the people of the state, he said.
"Running after national parties would not be wise for the Naga people," he said, calling on people to work towards strengthening the regional party in the state and continue to protect Naga history, tradition and customs.
Rio congratulated the party's candidates for winning the majority of seats in all civic bodies and thanked the people for trusting the party.
In the 25 civic bodies of the 10 districts of the state, the NDPP won 153 of the 278 districts.
Rio expressed hope that the elected NDPP members of the civic bodies would continue to work for the overall welfare of urban areas and lead the state towards progress and development.
However, Rio, also president of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), claimed that the party lost the polls for being an ally of the Saffron Party, accused of "causing atrocities on religious minorities, including Christians."
The consensus NDPP and BJP candidate lost to the Congress candidate in the Lok Sabha polls in the Christian-majority state.
Asked if his party's relationship with the BJP had deteriorated after the election defeat, Rio said: "Our alliance is normal and strong as it is."
Rio was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a congratulatory program for NDPP candidates who won in the recently held civic elections in the state.
Congress candidate S Supongmeren Jamir won by over 50,000 votes in the lone Lok Sabha seat, although the party has not had a single MLA in the state since 2014.
Earlier, speaking at the function, Rio claimed that the NDPP lost the Lok Sabha polls for being an ally of the BJP, which has been accused of causing atrocities against religious minorities, including Christians.
He also cited that the Assam government passed the Assam Healing Practices (Prevention of Evil) Bill, 2024 before the Lok Sabha elections, which has been considered an "anti-Christian law".
The NDPP will not compromise on the traditions, culture, customs and religion of the people of the state, he said.
"Running after national parties would not be wise for the Naga people," he said, calling on people to work towards strengthening the regional party in the state and continue to protect Naga history, tradition and customs.
Rio congratulated the party's candidates for winning the majority of seats in all civic bodies and thanked the people for trusting the party.
In the 25 civic bodies of the 10 districts of the state, the NDPP won 153 of the 278 districts.
Rio expressed hope that the elected NDPP members of the civic bodies would continue to work for the overall welfare of urban areas and lead the state towards progress and development.
