A group of newly elected MLA’s from Naga People’s Front (NPF) in a letter to the state government have requested allotment of Toyota Innova- Crysta instead of Renault Duster.
The letter, dated March 10, bore the signatures of 10 Naga People’s Front MLAs and was addressed to the Commissioner and Secretary, Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
While Innova is costlier than Duster, the former brand fares better in terms of maintenance expenses in the long term.
The top-end model of Duster costs nearly Rs 13 lakh, the high-end variant of Innova Crysta costs over Rs 22 lakh.
It is not learnt whether the assembly secretariat has made any proposal yet on allotment of vehicles to newly elected MLAs.
NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), of which BJP was also a part, was in power in the state from 2003. But before last month’s election, the saffron party severed ties with the regional outfit and joined hands with newly former Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).
Though NPF emerged as the single largest party winning 27 seats in the 60-member assembly, NDPP-BJP alliance, which secured 29 seats (NDPP with 17, BJP-12) was able to form the new government headed by Neiphiu Rio with the support of an Independent and a JD?(U) legislator, reported The Hindustan Times.
“We came to know about the plan to allot vehicles. Since Duster is not viable on Nagaland’s hilly terrain, we want Innova Crysta. We have not heard back from the secretariat. Hopefully, they will take a decision next week,” said CL John, NPF legislator from Tehok in Mon district.
Condition of roads in Nagaland is among the worst in the northeast and in successive elections political parties make promises of smooth roads and better connectivity.