Guwahati, June 28: Nagaland chief minister and Naga People's Front (NPF) president Shürhozelie Liezietsu today said the ruling NPF is "the natural ally of the BJP" and it is the only political party that represents the Nagas and can preserve their identity.

He said this during a meeting with the NPF Arunachal Pradesh state unit party workers at the NPF's central office conference hall in Kohima.

Recalling the association of the party with the BJP, Shürhozelie said the NPF has been aligned with the non-Congress national party from as early as 1977 and this alliance was renewed in early 2003 when the then NDA chairman George Fernandes, along with a few other non-Congress parties in the state, formed the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN).

Shurhozelie said the demand for integration of the whole of Naga-inhabited areas might be difficult at present but coming together under the umbrella of the NPF could be the first step to integrate the people emotionally and politically. Citing an example, Shürhozelie said after introducing NPF in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, the Naga people living in the two states can feel a sense of belongingness as "one" Naga family.

DAN chairman and former chief minister T.R. Zeliang said NPF is the only platform that can speak and address the needs and aspirations of the Naga people and other Naga regional parties, such as the recently-launched Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was allegedly formed to confuse the Naga people. "It is only the NPF that has recognised the whole of Naga-inhabited areas and are working for the people," Zeliang said.

Zeliang also stressed the need for fellow Nagas living outside Nagaland to learn Nagamese saying it would be the first step towards integrating Naga people.