Neiphiu Rio has majority, says Nagaland governor

Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party leader Neiphiu Rio with BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, JD (U) elected candidate G Kaito Aye, Independent MLA Tongpang Ozukum and NDPP-BJP state officials pose with Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya at Raj Bhavan, in Kohima on Sunday. PTI Photo

Neiphiu Rio has the majority and should form the government, Nagaland Governor P B Acharya said on Sunday.

The governor made the statement after a meeting with the NDPP leader, who claimed he has the support of 32 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.

Acharya said he has asked Rio to submit signatures of all the 32 MLAs supporting him by Monday.

A senior leader of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), an ally of the BJP, said Rio, in his meeting with the governor, staked claim to form the government in Nagaland.

The NDPP and the BJP have won 18 and 12 seats, respectively.

The lone JD(U) MLA G Kaito Aye and Independent legislator Tongpang Ozukum are backing the alliance, NDPP secretary-general Abu Metha said.

Rio, a three-time chief minister, met the governor along with NDPP president Chingwang Konyak, BJP state president Visasolie Lhoungu, Aye and Ozukum.

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