With barely two days left for the last date for filing of nomination papers for the upcoming general elections to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, more political parties have announced their intending candidates on Sunday. While the Naga People’s Front and the Congress announced their respective second list of candidates, more parties like the JD(U), RPI(A), NCP and NEDF have also announced theirs.
NPF issue tickets to six more candidates; more tickets expected to be issued
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) issued the party ticket to six more candidates in a ceremony held at its Central Office, Kohima today. The tickets were handed over by the party president Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu. This was the second phase of the NPF’s ticket distribution and more tickets are expected to be issued on 6 February. The NPF had earlier on Friday released its first list of candidates for the February 27 Nagaland assembly polls.
Speaking at the occasion on second phase ticket distribution, Dr. Shürhozelie pointed out that the NPF being the “only and oldest regional political party in Nagaland has survived to defend the Naga people at all cost and the party will remain in all time to come.”
He also said that the NPF party is facing a “temporary setback” as it could not participate in all the 60 Assembly Constituencies. The President also said that many party ticket seekers have approached for the ticket but the party decided to issue only to the best ones.
Leader of NPF Legislature Party, Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu in his speech regretted that the Nagas are facing one of the “dirtiest politics at present where money has become the commander of the people” and termed that many candidates have fallen under the trap of money.
Though the NPF is not fielding its candidates in all the 60 seats, he asserted that the party will produce the best result in the coming election.
He also congratulated all the party ticket holders terming them as the bravest amongst the brave who had stood up to fight against money power for the welfare of the Naga people.
Azo also lamented that many Naga leaders have now become like a commodity which can be purchased and urged upon the leaders to let no force buy them, “else the Naga society will become like a marketplace where we will start selling our rights and identity one day.”
The party is likely to issue a few more tickets before the last date of filing nomination. The NPF is said to have received an application for Dimapur-1 Assembly Constituency (General Seat) from Bishnu Bhattacharjee, the President of NPF Minority Wing. “But the party is of the opinion that his service for the party is more required than contesting the election and keeping in mind the requirement of his service, the party is requesting him not to contest and so the ticket may not issue to him,” an NPF update said.
Congress announces four more candidates
The Congress party on Sunday announced four more names to contest the ensuing Assembly Elections.
A press release form the party said that the candidates were selected by the Central Election Committee for the ensuing elections to the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland.
In Mokokchung, the party has in its second list fielded Alem Jongshi against the incumbent Minister for RD, Metsubo Jamir in the 27-Mokokchung Town constituency. Alem Jongshi unsuccessfully contested the 2019 bye-election in 26-Aonglenden assembly constituency as a Congress candidate against the incumbent Speaker of NLA, Sharingain Longkumer.
Watimongba Aier, president of District Congress Committee Mokokchung told this newspaper that there are no more candidates to be announced from the party for the district.
Janata Dal (United) declares 9 candidates
The Janata Dal (United) has on Sunday released its list of intending candidates for the ensuing Nagaland Assembly Elections. The list initially contained 8 candidates but it surfaced later in the evening that another candidate had been given the party ticket.
The 9th candidate was T Chalukumba Ao, a former candidate, for 28-Koridang assembly constituency. It was initially reported that Chalukumba had joined the Aam Admi Party (AAP) but was later confirmed that he has been given the JD (U) ticket.
J Lanu Longchar is the other JD (U) candidate in Mokokchung who has been announced for the 30-Alongtaki assembly constituency where he will face off against Nagaland BJP president and minister Temjen Imna Along.
Republican Party of India (A) fields 8 candidates
The Republican Party of India (A) has declared a list of 8 candidates to contest the ensuing Nagaland Assembly Elections. In a press release from the Nagaland State unit of the RPI (A) on Sunday, the party said that it has officially approved and endorsed the candidates for the 14th legislative Assembly Elections 2023.
T Yangseo Sangtam, who was elected as an Independent MLA in November 2020 bye-election from 60-Pungro Kiphire assembly constituency and recently resigned as the Deputy Speaker of NLA, is one of the 8 RPI (A) candidates.
NCP releases list of 12 candidates, includes 7 MLAs
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has on Sunday also released its official list of candidates for the upcoming General Election in Nagaland which is scheduled to be held on 27 February.
The Sharad Pawar-led party has in a press release stated that the list has been approved by the Central High Command of the NCP.
Among the twelve in the list, 7 candidates were elected to the 13th legislative assembly of which 2 were elected on NDPP tickets and 5 are NPF-turned-NDPP legislators.
In Mokokchung, the NCP has fielded Amenba Yaden in the 21-Tuli assembly constituency who had also switched from NPF to NDPP.
Aam Aadmi Party to announce list of candidates on 7 February morning
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Northeast In-charge, Rajesh Sharma has informed that the AAP will be contesting in the upcoming General Election in Nagaland.
Addressing media persons in Kohima on Sunday, Sharma said 14 aspiring candidates have approached the party and they are ready to give tickets to eligible candidates based on the party’s criteria.
Lamenting that “politics in Nagaland is played by money,” he said Aam Aadmi Party never encouraged such kind of politics and therefore called upon the people of the state who want change in Nagaland to come out and join AAP.
Sharma said, with just two days left for filing of nomination papers, candidates willing to bring change and fight against corruption are invited to join the party, adding that the party will announce the list of candidates on 7 February morning.
President of the Nagaland Unit of AAP, Asu Kehyo said the party has a serious view to bring a new hope and vision to Nagaland. On this, he said that change has to come from the people and to do so, the party has to select an appropriate candidate with distinguished character and who is in position to deliver.
Kehyo also maintained that the party will solely take a firm footing by its own criteria of merits for selection of candidates.
The State AAP president expressed hope that the party will be able to fulfill the aspirations and dreams of the people and bring hope for the future.
NEDF declares lone candidate
The newest party to declare entry to the February 27 Nagaland assembly elections, the North East Democratic Front (NEDF), has nominated John Ovung to contest in the 40-Bhandari assembly constituency under Wokha district. Ovung’s candidature was certified by NEDF president (org) Limanuksung Longkumer and Secretary General (Org) Michael A.