Set to become chief minister for fourth time; new govt. to be renamed as People’s Democratic Alliance
Eastern Mirror Bureau
Kohima/ Dimapur, Mar. 3 (EMN): Nagaland has delivered a fractured mandate following the 2018 assembly elections with no political party managing to attain the magic figure of 31 seats as a single-party majority.
Following the vote-count on Sat., the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Abhijit Sinha said that the Naga People’s Front (NPF) emerged the single largest party by winning 27 seats out of 60; the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) followed with 17 and its pre-poll ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 12. The National People’s Party (NPP) got two, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) one and an independent one.
The NDPP and the BJP entered into a pre-poll seat sharing (40-20) alliance. It is expected to form the government particularly after the JD-U turned its back on its recently reaffirmed alliance with the NPF on Sat. evening and announced a shift in decision to support the ‘BJP in formation of a stable government in Nagaland.’
“This decision is taken after a serious consideration of the current verdict of the just declared results of the conducted general election to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly and also to safeguard the interest of the National Democratic Alliance in Delhi,” stated a press release from the president of the Nagaland JD (U) Senchumo Lotha.
The lone successful independent candidate, Tongpang Ozukum from Angetyongpang constituency (AC) in Mokokchung district, also pledged support to the NDPP-BJP alliance and to the leadership of Neiphiu Rio. This has brought the strength of the alliance to 31.
Big wins and close calls
Chief Minister TR Zeliang of the NPF retained the 7th Peren AC seat after defeating the NDPP’s Iherie Ndang by a margin of 5432 votes, while Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier (NPF) defeated TN Mannen (NDPP) by 62 votes at 23rd Impur AC.
The NPF’s Dr. Chumben Murry at 38th Wokha AC secured the highest margin of wining votes with 8555. Those who won by large margins include first-timer Moatoshi Longkumer (NPF) at Dimapur-II with 6939; the BJP’s Tovihoto Ayemi at Dimapur-I with 6600, among others. Rural Development Minister CL John (NPF) also retained his Tehok seat by defeating C Kawang Konyak (BJP) by 4556 votes.
Winners who had a close call were H Haiying (BJP) of 56th Noklak AC who won by a margin of just five votes over former minister P Longon (NPF); N Thongwang Konyak (NPF) of 46th Mon town AC by 28 votes; Vikheho Swu (NPF) won by 70 votes over Dr. Sukhato (BJP) at 13th Pughuboto AC; Yitachu (NPF) by 74 votes over NDPP’s Z Nyusietho Nyuthe (NDPP) at 20 Meluri AC; Temjen Imna Along (BJP) defeated Dr. Benjongliba (NPF) by 86 votes at 30th Alongtaki AC; and Imtikumzuk (NDPP) defeated Toshipokba (NPF) by 88 votes from the 26th Aonglenden seat.
In Mokokchung town, recently retired bureaucrat Metsubo Jamir defeated by 1004 votes C Apok Jamir, the legislator of the area and a son of Odisha Governor Dr. SC jamir.
In a shocker, former chief secretary of Nagaland Alemtemshi Jamir (NDPP) who contested from two constituencies—24th Angetypongpang and 25th Mongoya in Mokokchung district—lost in both seats. Jamir was defeated at Angetyongpang AC by former Naga Students’ Federation president and new entrant in politics Tongpang Ozukum by 950 votes. In Mongoya, Dr. K Ngangshi Ao of the NPF defeated the former bureaucrat by 348 votes.
Five-time member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Tokheho Yepthomi (NDPP) also suffered defeat at the Dimapur-III seat—considered his stronghold—at the hands NPF’s Azheto Zhimomi by 2138 votes.
Also, former chief minister KL Chishi (BJP) lost the Atoizu seat to sitting MLA Picto Shohe (NPF) by 838 votes.
People’s Democratic Alliance
The secretary general of the NDPP Abu Metha told Eastern Mirror that the NDPP-BJP alliance had a meeting, between Neiphiu Rio and BJP general secretary in-charge of the north-eastern states Ram Madhav, on Ma. 3. Metha said that the lone JD (U) candidate and an independent who won have joined the government under the leadership of Rio. Statements of the duo joining the alliance were made available to the press.
The NDPP’s secretary general disclosed that the alliance would be named ‘People’s Democratic Alliance.’
Rio was grateful to the people for reposing faith in him and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the support and campaigning for the alliance, and for strengthening it. Also, he has called upon the people of Nagaland to be in unity and has appealed to all to work together for a ‘faster solution.’
Five-for-nothing
Nagaland’s latest dalliance with women representatives drew another blank even as all of the five women who contested the elections failed to win. The candidates were Rekha Rose Dukru (independent), Awan Konyak (NDPP), Wedie-ü Kronu (NPP), Rhakila, (BJP) and Dr. K Mangyangpula Chang (NPP).
Of the five candidates, Awon Konyak came closest to defeating her rival and by a margin of 905 votes. None of the other four candidates could garner more than 1000 voters.
Newcomers pledge change
Mhathung Yanthan (NDPP)
Retired director of the Land Resources department Mhathung Yanthan has assured to take advantage of his experience as a former government servant. In a telephonic conversation with Eastern Mirror after his victory, Yanthan said ‘having seen and experienced how the government functions, a strong stable government that performs and changes the system is the contribution that I want to make while utilising my experience in delivering services to the people.’
Yanthan noted: ‘I am concerned with the rate of unemployment in the state and, with government jobs saturated, the horizon of the youths and policies with emphasise on imparting skills to the youths.’
Toshi Wungtung (NDPP)
Another first-timer and former advisor to Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) Toshi Wungtung, who defeated R Tohanba, committed to delivering ‘equality in justice’ in the eastern areas of the state. He assured to deliver the promises of the NDPP manifesto. On the trust deficit among Naga youths in the state’s politicians and the government, Wungtung remarked that the government alone should not be blamed but that ‘everyone should make an effort to work together.’
Lucky star for Namri Nchang
Luck seemed to have favoured Namri Nchang, the NDPP’s candidate for Tening constituency, after a re-count of the votes was ordered and the results turned in his favour. Till late evening, reports had suggested that NR Zeliang was the winner.
The ‘counting mistake’ was detected and another round of vote-counting was ordered. Talking to Eastern Mirror, Namri Nchang said that the second round of counting had him as the winner by a margin of 168 votes. The result has been sent to the ECI, and response is awaited.
BJP central tweets win in Nagaland
At around 3:53 pm on Mar. 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted “Thank You Nagaland for supporting BJP4Nagaland and our valued ally. I assure my sisters and brothers of Nagaland that we will continue to work for the progress and prosperity of Nagaland. I applaud the tireless work of the local BJP unit.”
One from Ram Madhav’s series of tweets read, “I wish to highlight the spectacular performance of BJP in Nagaland. It has won 12 seats out of the contested 20. Highest ever.”
According to a PTI report Kiren Rijiju was alleged to have stated “BJP to go with NPF if no majority with NDPP in Nagaland” which was later denied by him through his twitter account when a twitter account with the name ‘Achinta Borah’ twitted “In Nagaland BJP4India to form govt, may ally with NPF says Kiren Rijiju.”
Rijiju twitted from his account: “No, I didn’t say it. NDPP is our alliance partner. Its NPF who passed a resolution to remain with BJP.”
