Nagaland CM files Lok Sabha nomination

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio Thursday filed his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha polls from the lone parliamentary constituency in the state.

Rio's rival from the Congress, K.V.Pusa, also filed his papers. Both the candidates are contesting their maiden Lok Sabha election.

The chief minister and leader of the Naga People's Front (NPF) said the decision to enter national politics was guided by the desire to play a larger role and ensure development in Nagaland.

"I want to move out of the comfort zone and do bigger things for the people of the state and the northeast in general," he said.

Rio, who scripted history in Nagaland by becoming chief minister three straight times, said his party has decided to support the BJP-led NDA after the Congress-led union government neglected Nagaland in terms of development.

"During the last 10 years, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh failed to visit my state, even when our party extended support to his government," he said.

He accused the Congress of diverting national highway projects and railway projects to other states, and said the UPA government did not implement the Rs.1,500 crore special package announced by Atal Behari Vajpayee during his visit to Nagaland in 2003.