Date:10/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/10/stories/2008031055161200.htm

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DAN stakes claim in Nagaland

Sushanta Talukdar

Guwahati: The Nagaland People’s Front (NPF)-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) on Sunday staked its claim to form a new government in the State and paraded 34 legislators before Governor K. Sankaranarayanan at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima. The break-up of the legislators is as follows: NPF-26, BJP-2, NCP-2 and Independents-4.

The former Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, who led the legislators told The Hindu that he had also submitted letters of support from the BJP, the Nationalist Congress Party and the independents.

Mr. Rio said the Governor had told the DAN delegation that since President’s rule was in force, it has to be revoked before the new government can be formed. The former Chief Minister said the delegation requested the Governor to fix Tuesday for the swearing-in ceremony.

The NPF emerged as the single largest party with its strength increasing to 26. The Congress increased its tally to 23. Both parties secured one seat each on Sunday. The result of one seat is still awaited. Of the 59 results declared, the party position till Sunday night is as follows: NPF-26, Congress-23, BJP-2, NCP-2, indepedents-6.