With the embarrassment of a no-show looming, with just one day to go, Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Tuesday became the first candidate to file his nomination papers for the upcoming February 27 Nagaland Assembly polls.
With the embarrassment of a no-show looming, with just one day to go, Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Tuesday became the first candidate to file his nomination papers for the upcoming February 27 Nagaland Assembly polls.
Nagaland CEC Abhijit Sinha told Indian Express that the former state home minister was in the process of filing his nomination from 19 Phek Ac. He was followed by Dr Nicky Kire, who had recently joined the NDPP also reported that he filed his nomination papers from Kohima Town AC. The deadline expires on 3 PM on February 7.
The call to boycott election fell flat as 22 candidates filed nominations for February 27 Assembly.
On January 29, 11 political parties in the state signed a joined a declaration on January 29 to not contest the elections.
The core committee of civil organisations and tribal bodies and also the Naga insurgent groups had declared that anyone contesting the elections would be branded ‘anti-Naga’.
However, the lukewarm response to the state-wide bandh called by the Core Committee of the Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHC), meant that the electoral process remained on track. Hearing about the filing of nominations, CCNTHCO held close-door meeting in Kohima with representatives of political parties.
Ahead of the assembly elections on February 27, the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) suffered a setback with two of its MLAs, including a minister, resigning from the state House.
With them, six Independents also given up their membership of the assembly.
Nagaland Speaker Imtiwapang Aier has accepted the resignations and declared the respective seats vacant, a notification issued by Nagaland Commissioner and Secretary N Benjamin Newmai said last night.
NPF Minister for Roads and Bridges, G Kaito Aye and MLA Neiphrezo Keditsu were among those who quit. Kaito has joined the JD(U).
JD(U) of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, which was part of ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) with Naga People's Front and BJP, have walked out of the coalition and is contesting the assembly poll on its own.
JD(U) has declared 11 candidates so far for the ensuing assembly elections.
BJP has also left DAN (RPT) DAN to join hands with newly formed National Democratic Political Party (NDPP).
Neiphrezo Keditsu, a first timer had won the Northern Angami-II bye-elections in 2014 following the then Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio going to the Lok Sabha. Neiphrezo is the son-in-law of Neiphiu Rio.
Returning to state politics as the chief ministerial candidate of the newly-floated Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Rio is contesting from the same constituency this time.
Neiphrezo resigned to pave way for Neiphiu Rio.
The six Independent MLAs who resigned are Y M Yolow, Toyang Changkong Chang, Picto, S Chuba Longkumar, Levi Rengma and Amenba Yaden.
Except for Levi Rengma, the Parliamentary Secretary for PWD (Housing), the rest five have joined the NPF and have been given party ticket to contest these elections.
The NPF had yesterday declared 58 candidates, including Chief Minister T R Zeliang, for the 60 seats.
NPF President Dr Shurhozelie, who is also an MLA, has declared not to contest the elections but is resending his son Khriehu Liezietsu for the Northern Angami-I seat.
Khriehu was first elected in 2013 but resigned in May 24 last year paving way for his father Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu to get elected as a member of the Assembly.
Following spate of resignations, the strength of the 60-member Nagaland House has been reduced to 35.
The House is presently left with 30 NPF MLAs, four BJP legislators and one Independent MLA.
Nagaland Assembly election is scheduled for February 27. Result will come on March 3 along with Tripura and Meghalaya.
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