KOHIMA, Jan 9 - The ruling parties in Nagaland, Naga People�s Front (NPF) and BJP, on Sunday appealed to organisations opposed to elections to urban local bodies (ULBs) in the State to pave way for smooth conduct of the polls next month.
The appeal was made in the wake of Chief Minister TR Zeliang having convened an all-party meeting at his residential office here on Saturday night.
The move came in the backdrop of tribal organisations in the State having given call for boycott of elections to the municipal and town councils which is slated for February 1.
Those who attended the meeting include NPF chief Shurhozelie Liezietsu, Rajya Sabha MP and NPF secretary general K G Kenye and Nagaland BJP chief Visasolie Lhoungu. The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee was represented by its general secretary Medokul Sophie and secretary Moa Imchen. State Home Minister Y Patton was also present.
According to a statement issued by Chief Minister�s Office, the participants discussed as to how Article 243T of the Constitution relating to women reservation in local bodies did not affect Article 371A of the Constitution. The protesting tribal bodies on the contrary maintained that it did affect.
Later, NPF and BJP decided to appeal to the organisations, who are opposed to the ULB polls, to pave way for smooth conduct of the elections and also allow filing of nominations. � PTI