Outgoing Nagaland chief minister S C Jamir has accused the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim of helping his opponents in the elections even as it becomes clear that the Congress is facing a tough fight from the Nagaland People's Front-led alliance, which comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Out of the 20 results declared so far, the Congress has won eight while the NPF has cornered seven seats. The BJP, which is making its debut in this Christian-dominated state, has won two seats while hitherto non-existent parties like the Samata and the Janata Dal-United have also secured one seat each.
Jamir, who has been chief minister for the past decade, told rediff.com on phone from Kohima: "The armed cadres of NSCN (I-M) have openly campaigned for anti-Congress parties and intimidated, threatened and kidnapped our workers to oust us from power. Their open campaigning has given advantage to all the non-Congress parties."
The NSCN (I-M), which is observing a ceasefire, held talks with the BJP-led government at the Centre in January. Non-Congress parties, especially the BJP have consistently projected the success of the Naga talks as an achievement of the Centre and sought to derive advantage.
Both the NSCN (I-M) and BJP have dubbed Jamir as the main stumbling block in the Naga peace process.