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MOKOKCHUNG — With Nagaland's urban local body (ULB) elections approaching, the Congress party has expressed strong confidence in securing at least seven out of 18 wards in the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC).
The party made this claim during a media briefing after inspecting the strong room containing sealed Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Mokokchung on Monday.
Former MLA and PCC member Toshipokba Longkumer revealed the formation of a dedicated committee for the ULB elections, comprising himself as convener, Watimongba (President, District Congress Committee) as co-convener, and Sanglipong S Pongen (General Secretary, NPYC) as member secretary.
Toshipokba Longkumer, former MLA and PCC members stated that in regard to the ULB elections, a committee has been set-up with him as the convener, Watimongba President District Congress Committee as the co-convener and, Sanglipong S Pongen General Secretary Organization NPYC as Member secretary member.
This committee, along with urban area party presidents, convened a meeting to discuss strategies for the upcoming elections, he said.
Stating that there are many intending candidates seeking Congress tickets, he said that the party has high expectations for victory. The party will actively mobilise support for the ULB elections in the district, he added.
Echoing this confidence, Sanglipong S Pongen announced that the party will field candidates in all urban areas under ULB jurisdiction and the first list of candidates will be declared on May 25, followed by a second list later.
He went on to reiterate that the Congress will secure a minimum of seven wards in the Mokokchung municipal elections.
The state will go to polls on June 26 for three municipal councils and 36 town councils, marking a historic moment for Nagaland, as it will be the first election in the state to implement 33% reservation for women in ULBs.
Kohima, Dimapur, and Mokokchung are designated as municipal councils, while the remaining urban areas fall under town councils.
Meanwhile, Toshipokba Longkumer, along with party workers visited the Mokokchung deputy commissioner’s office to inspect the strong room where sealed electronic voting machines (EVMs) from the recently conducted Lok Sabha polls are stored.
Security agencies are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance on the strong room, and the machines will be opened on June 4, the counting day that will determine the fate of the candidates.
Expressing satisfaction with the robust security measures, Longkumer noted, “The strong room is well guarded. Even political parties as well as top officials are not allowed to enter inside the secured room. We are very satisfied.”
Furthermore, he expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc will come to power. “We don’t have to worry. We’re hundred percent sure the INDIA Bloc will form the government,” he claimed.
Looking at Nagaland specifically, he asserted that the Congress candidate will emerge victorious, albeit by a narrow margin. “Even though it's a small margin, we are going to win,” Longkumer affirmed.