The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) has support of 39 MLAs in the House. With reports of the newly formed party offering its support to the DAN, the figure could increase to 46 MLAs. There are 34 ministers in the DAN government.

In a statement issued here, the seven members said that their decision to break away from the Congress was based on their review of the overall political situation in the state. The breakaway faction includes T.R. Zeliang, Tokheho, Wangyuh, and Talinungsang, ministers in the last Congress government in the state. It may be mentioned that the spilt in the Congress came even as its leader and former chief minister SC Jamir claimed that the ruling DAN government was set to collapse.

Confirming the split, Apok Jamir, Congress MP and son of SC Jamir blamed the recent developments on the ruling National Democratic Alliance at the Centre. While the ongoing peace process and the Rs 365 crore package given to Nagaland by the prime minister was a boon to the state, Nagaland’s dues stood at only Rs 200 crore or so, he pointed out. “I don’t know what the remaining amount was given for,” he said in Delhi, hinting at possible horse-trading. His party would, for now, adopt a wait and watch policy, he said.

By Pilato Sumi (newsfiledelhi@hotmail.com)