Nagaland Election: Parties galore, 6 parties go public with candidatures

• Parties from Bihar make strong presence
• Only Congress has opponent for CM Rio
• One woman among 50-plus names 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 5

After the announcement by the NDPP-BJP coalition and the NPF, February 4 happened to be the turn of other parties in the electoral fray to sound the list of hopefuls to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The day saw as many as six parties, three of which were from Bihar, going public with the names of contenders.

They included the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), National People’s Party (NPP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Indian National Congress. 

The NCP did not make a formal announcement but as per a social media post, the NCP will field at least one candidate. Incumbent legislator, Amenba Yaden, who lost the race for the NDPP ticket, was given the NCP ticket in the 21 Tuli seat. 

The RJD and JD (U) confirmed their intention to contest but the two parties from Bihar was yet to finalise the lists of candidates. The RJD said it has a tentative list of 11-15 candidates, among which was Er Senkathung Jami, whose candidature from 39 Sanis was confirmed.

The JD (U) said that it was in the process of finalizing its list of candidates. As on February 4, it had 5 intending candidates. They were Senchumo NSN Lotha (37 Tyui), Geihwang Konyak (45 Tapi), Y Ajungli Sangtam (52 Longkhim-Chare), N Thongwang Konyak (46 Mon Town) and Imsumongba Pongen (4 Ghaspani I). It increased to six in the evening with the party setting up new entrant, Er J Lanu Longchar in the 30 Alongtaki seat, which is currently held by Nagaland’s BJP unit President, Temjen Imna Along Longkumer. 

The LJP posted a list of 20 candidates, a majority of which were those, who were ignored by the NDPP-BJP combine. The prominent figures in the party’s list were Minister YM Yollow, Azheto Zhimomi, Yitachu, Chotisuh Sazo, L Khumo Khiamniungan and Dr Sukhato A Sema. The party said that 4-5 names were kept abeyance pending unfinished documentation. 

The NPP announced a list of 12, with two prominent faces— former Ministers in the erstwhile DAN III government, Kipili Sangtam (59 Seyochung-Sitimi) and Nuklutoshi Longkumer (22 Arkakong). The party said that it has “a lot of good candidates” vying to contest under its banner “but we are being selective because we need to handpick and choose the best that we can.” It was added that the number would go up to 20. 

The Congress released a list of 21 names, which included one woman. The woman candidate, Rosy Thomson, will contest in 6 Tenning, currently held by NPF-turned-NDPP Namri Nchang. The party said that this was its “first list” and that the number would go up to 25-30 and will be finalised by February 6.

Only the Congress has a candidate, Seyievilie Chachu, in Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s bastion— 11 Northern Angami II. At the press conference, where the lists was announced, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee President, K Therie termed the party’s 50 Longleng seat candidate, Denngan Y Avennoho as “one of its strongest candidates.” 

Notably, Therie has left 16 Pfutsero and will be contesting in 1 Dimapur I which is currently held by the BJP’s Tovihoto Ayemi, while Zachilhu Ringa Vadeo is making a comeback for the first time since losing the 19 Phek seat to Kuzholuzo Neinu in 2003.

Nagaland-born Rising People’s Party and (RPP), made no formal proclamation but its President, Joel Naga was found listed in the names of candidates, who filed nomination on February 4. Joel, who made a name as an anti-corruption crusader, will contest in the 12 Tseminyu seat. 

The newest party to declare entry to the February 27 elections— the North East Democratic Front (NEDF) and the Aam Aadmi Party were still to announce any names.  

LJP: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) also released its election manifesto during the declaration of candidates. It development concept included agriculture, women and youth empowerment, Naga political issue and improving connectivity in respect of hospitality, healthcare, grooming talent while capitalizing on human resources. It did not take questions from the media. There was conflicting news in the afternoon, however, as the party leadership made a pronouncement on its Twitter handle informing that it will not field candidates in constituencies which has BJP contenders. In its list of candidates, it has names in seats where the BJP is contesting.  

JDU: While the JD (U) has parted ways with the BJP, its Nagaland unit said that it was open to post-poll alliance with the BJP.  Senchumo NSN Lotha held that the NDPP-BJP combine would not get the figure required to form the next government.  “Therefore, they will require the support of a third party where we, the JDU will be third largest party to support the next government,” he said. On the desertion of its former Secretary General, he said that it is part and parcel of electoral politics. He said, “There are always vested interests. Every demand, every interest cannot be met. Therefore, it is not surprising that if people’s wishes, whims and fancies cannot be fulfilled, they have every right to leave the party.”

NPP: Nagaland NPP President, Andrew Ahoto Sema said that the party will side with its North-east Democratic Alliance post-poll. 

M Rameswar singh, National General Secretary said that the NPP is for ushering in a new Nagaland where the basic amenities reach the doorstep of people. He added that the party’s manifesto, which was released today, covers the social, economic, and cultural perspective of the state. “But when there is only infrastructural development, and if we cannot grow the mind and the knowledge of the people through the very mission of the NPP, that is education, it will not have any meaning,” he said. 

Congress: NPCC President, K Therie termed the Congress’s election manifesto as “a priceless commitment given to the people.” He said that the party’s candidates have come forward to fight against intimidation and the division of Nagaland. “Congress is the only party on which the people have hope. Our shortfall was that we could not make everyone happy. But our goal is for the growth of all. Should we allow our people to vote without knowing the consequences?”

RJD: RJD leader and Minister in the Nitish Kumar-led coalition government in Bihar, Kumar Saarvjeet said that the party was bringing its “clean development policy to Nagaland.” Terming jobs and employment to the unemployed youths as its biggest focus, he said that it aspires to bring roads to every village, hospital in every district, besides engineering and medical schools. According to him, AIIMs should be brought to Nagaland as well. While accusing the LJP as the BJP’s other garb, he said, “We are ready to any aspiring candidate, who subscribe to the RJD. If we win, we will be part of a government minus BJP.”