List includes two former chief ministers; five women candidates; 48 on standby
Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Feb. 7 (EMN): Altogether 256 candidates have filed nomination papers for the forthcoming elections to the 60-seat Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA). Ninety percent of the candidates filed nominations on the last day of the nomination period on Wed.
As per Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Abhijit Sinha, 234 candidates including their substitute candidates have filed their papers on Feb. 7 while 22 filed on Feb. 6. Out of the 256, 48 are substitute or standby candidates.
Nine different political parties: the Naga People’s Front (NPF), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Congress (INC), Janata Dal (United), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), National People’s Party (NPP), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP); and independent candidates will be contesting in the polls scheduled for Feb. 27.
Out of the 256 candidates, only five are women: Awan Konyak from the 47th Aboi assembly constituency (AC) who will be fighting with an NDPP ticket; Wedie-u Kronu from 3rd Dimapur-III NPP ticket; Rakhila from 54th Tuensang Sadar-II representing the BJP; Rekha Rose from 17th Chizami assembly constituency as an independent candidate; and Dr. K Mangyangpula Chang from 51st Noksen assembly constituency from the NPP.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang and his nephew NR Zeliang were reported to have filed their nominations Wed. at 7th Peren AC and at 6th Tening AC respectively.
Among the prominent candidates in the fray are two former chief ministers—Neiphiu Rio from the NDPP at 11th Northern Angami-II AC and KL Chishi from the BJP at 32nd Atoizu AC.
Several former speakers and an incumbent of the NLA have also filed nominations. These include Thenucho Tunyi from the NPF at 16th Pfutsero AC; Chotisuh Sazo from the NPF at 18th Chozuba AC; ET Ezung from the INC at 40th Bhandari AC; and current Speaker Imtiwapang Aier from the NPF at 23rd Impur AC.
Former Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir of the NDPP will be contesting from two seats namely 24th Angetyongpang AC and 25th Mongoya AC.
Also, a good number of former presidents of the Naga Students’ Federation have filed their nominations including Vikheho Swu from the NPF at 13th Pughoboto AC; Neiba Kronu from the NDPP at 16th Pfutsero AC; K Temjen Jamir (Editor Tir Yimyim) as an independent candidate at 22th Arkakong AC; Tongpang Ozukum, also an independent candidate, at 24th Angetyongpang AC, and Achumbemo Kikon at 40th Bhandari.
Interestingly, Chupfu-o Kense, Rio’s brother-in-law, will contest against the former chief minister from Northern Angami-II assembly constituency. Kense is also former MLA.
