Whether due to reaffirmation by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to strictly enforce the electoral code of conduct or the ongoing ‘Clean Election’ campaign launched by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) with various church associations throughout Nagaland, campaigning in the run up to the February 23 election continues to be a low-key affair.
Following the declaration of the list of candidates by the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) and the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), candidates have begun brisk campaigning in various localities including door-to-door campaign.
The NPF has finalized list for all 60 seats and will hold its ticket distribution ceremony on January 31 at the NPF central office. The Congress is likely to announce the final list of its candidates in a day or two.
Chingwang resigns
Senior Congress MLA Chingwang Konyak has resigned from the Congress and also said he will not be contesting the February 23 election.
Konyak said he took the difficult decision after having “nurtured” the Congress since its inception in the state.
“I have come to this difficult decision as I am frustrated and disappointed by the lack of unity and cohesion in the Nagaland Congress Party which is a divided house,’ he said.
Chingwang said he has been in active politics for the last 44 years and devoted his life in service of the people in various capacities. He however asserted that he would continue to work for the uplift and welfare of the people. Konyak expressed gratitude to all the people who have supported him during the past years.
He won the last assembly election from 46 Mon Town A/C on a Congress ticket.
Y. Mankhao Konyak was issued the Congress ticket to contest from 46 Mon Town while N. Thongwang Konyak would be contesting as the NPF candidate.
Dr Ngangshi joins Cong
Dr. Ngangshi Ao, who recently resigned as minister PHE and also from the house along with five other independent legislators to join NPF applied for the ticket. However, Dr Ngangshi was denied the NPF ticket which went to Merentoshi R.Jamir, son of chief secretary Alemtemshi Jamir. According Hukavi T. Yeptho, Congress media cell member, Dr Ngangshi will fight the February 23 election from the same constituency on Congress ticket.
Thenucho joins UNDP
Veteran regionalist and former NPF health and home minister Thenucho Tunyi (2003-08) has joined the United Naga Democratic Party (UNDP) and officially accepted at the party’s emergency meeting held on January 30.
UNDP in a statement also said the party unanimously agreed to field Thenucho as party candidate in the forthcoming assembly election from 16 Pfutsero assembly constituency.
Meanwhile, in a separate press release, Thenucho Tunyi expressed his belief that people with similar interest and concern would come forward and join hands with him to forge and nurture a common political destiny under the banner of UNDP. He said the objective was to fight for the rights and interest of the people. The other candidates include sitting NPF member Neiba Kronu, deputy chairman State Planning Board and Congress candidate and former minister K.Therie.
32 Atoizu
Former executive engineer PWD Picto Shohe began his campaign as an independent candidate from 32 Atoizu A/C. Addressing his supporters, Shohe said that if elected he would focus on human resource development, food security and sustainable agriculture, youth employment and women empowerment besides alleviation of economic backwardness of the constituency.
His manifesto also promised total health services for all and universal education system. Shohe is facing power minister Doshehe Y. Sema of the NPF and Congress candidate Mughato Achumi.
5 Ghaspani-II
Former minister Rokonicha Wednesday declared his candidature for the 5 Ghaspani-II assembly constituency as an independent candidate.
In a statement, Rokonicha claimed that all former NPF party workers, supporters and area leaders have extended full support to him. Rokonicha had won the seat on UDF ticket in 1974,1977 and NNDP in 1982 and 1987 then uncontested as Congress in 1998 and retained it on Congress ticket in 2003 and lost as NPF in 2008.
Another independent candidate Khaimin Lun (Lun) has also begun his campaign where he promised change and youth empowerment to “end division on tribalism.”
The constituency will witness a four-cornered contest between independent candidates Rokonicha and Lun and state chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s brother Zaleo Rio of NPF and Y Hewoto Awomi of Congress and sitting MLA of 4 Ghaspani-I.
Kihoto Hollohon is the independent sitting member of the constituency.
21Tuli
Sitting NPF member of 21 Tuli constituency and chairman Nagaland Bamboo Development Board(NBDB) L.Temjen Jamir of Wamaken village will face Congress candidate Chubatangit Jamir of Asangma village and independent candidate and retired Conservator of Forest T.Amenba Yaden IFS(Retd) of Merangkong village. The last two named candidates will be making their electoral debut on February 23. The name of another candidate was also doing the rounds.
JD (U) releases list
Janata Dal (United) part of NPF-led DAN has announced its first list of candidates for the three assembly constituencies. JD (U) Nagaland unit president Mhonjan Lotha will contest from 40 Bhandari assembly constituency while B.S.Nanglang Phom from 49 Tamlu assembly constituency and K.Yimso from 58 Shamator-Chessore assembly constituency.
According to JDU, tickets were issued to the intending candidates in the presence of National JD (U) general secretary northeast in-charge at its head office on January 30. Meanwhile, JD (U) has appealed to the electorate in the three assembly constituencies to exercise their franchise in free and fair manner.
RJD tickets today
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Nagaland unit has informed all state executives, mahila wing and youth body to attend the party ticket distribution ceremony on January 31, 10 a.m. at the party head office.
All well wishers and supporters of the intending candidates have been requested to attend the ceremony.
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