The dawn of a new era

March 3, 2023 25 Views No Comment

Nagaland scripts history & elect its first women legislators

Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | March 3

A new chapter begins in the state political landscape even as Nagaland scripted history on Thursday by electing it’s first-ever women representatives to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA). Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse, both of whom contested with a ticket from the Nationalist Democratic People’s Party (NDPP) achieved a historic feat by emerging victorious from Dimapur-III and Western Angami-8 Assembly Constituencies respectively.

Hekani Jakhalu received 45.16% of votes in the constituency and defeated her nearest opponent, Azheto Zhimomi of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), who received 40.34%. She won by a margin of 1,536 votes by securing a total of 14395 votes while Zhimomi got 12859 votes. The contest between Salhoutuonuo Kruse and her opponent, Keneizhakho Nakhro, who contested as an independent candidate was neck and neck to the finish wherein she won by a close margin of 7 votes. Kruse received 49.74% (7,078) of votes while her opponent secured received 49.69% (7,071) of the votes.

The historic win comes after a long gap of 60 years since Nagaland attained its statehood in the year 1963, and has not once seen a woman legislator in the NLA. “Yes, it took quite long, but we have it now,” Kenei Miachieo, an IFS officer working outside the state remarked on the victory of the two women.

“Diversity is what our country is about; diversity is what brings the best out of a nation, a state, a community,” he told The Morung Express while adding: “I am amazed to see the perseverance, stamina and determination of the women candidates during the tedious, absorbing, uncomfortable (actually indescribable) journey of their movement.” He expressed optimism for “an enterprising new innings of leadership” and congratulated both the candidates and the electorate.

Soon after the declaration of the results, Hekani Jakhalu thanked God expressing that, “This is not Hekani’s victory, this is everyone’s victory” and further pledged to try her best to live up to the expectations of the people in the constituency even as they carve a new chapter together.

She reiterated this on twitter by saying, “My victory is not mine alone, it belongs to my people who trusted me with their hopes & aspirations. I dedicate this victory to God and pledge to serve my constituents with honesty and integrity.”

“Today, we have created history! This momentous victory belongs to us. I owe this victory to God Almighty, and to my citizens of #8WesternAngami. I am very humbled by the support everyone has given me. Thank you for making this possible. I look forward to serving you,” Salhoutuonuo Kruse also declared on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio took to twitter to congratulate the first two women legislators on winning the assembly elections and said, “You carry the hopes of women and future generations as change makers and role models. I hope you will continue to be passionate and courageous.”

It may be mentioned here that Hekani Jakhalu is a recipient of the prestigious ‘Prerna Award 2021’ and was further conferred the ‘Nari Shakti Puraskar Award’ in 2018. An alumna of Lady Shri Ram College, she went on to pursue law from Delhi University and LLM from the University of San Francisco. She also taught at the American University as a Professional-in-Residence at Washington DC and was a former Researcher at Amnesty International.

Meanwhile Salhoutuonuo Kruse has served in civil society organisations for close to 25 years. She was former president of the Angami Women Organisation (AWO) and also subsequently served as its Advisor. Her late husband, Er Kevisekho Kruse was an NDPP candidate who contested from the same constituency in 2018 but had lost. In a previous interview with this newspaper, she had expressed that her late husband’s unfulfilled vision and dreams, enthused her to venture into politics.