Complacency, anti-incumbency lead to defeat, says NPF chief

The Naga People's Front (NPF), the erstwhile ruling party of Nagaland, today said complacency and anti-incumbency factor could be the reasons for the party's loss in the Assembly election held last month.

The Nagaland poll results had given a hung mandate with the NPF winning 26 seats, the single largest party in the 60-member Assembly. But it failed to form the government.

"Even though we failed to reach the magic figure (of 31), the Naga people are with us. Complacency on the part of the party functionaries and anti-incumbency factors could be the reason for the result," NPF chief Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu said.

Addressing a NPF consultative meeting here, Liezietsu called upon the candidates who lost not to lose heart as their supporters have given their best for them during the February 27 election.

He said, "Most of the leaders who had created havoc in the last Assembly are now in the new government."