“I started from Chungtia… I will end from Chungtia,” he says during visit to Chungtia and Aliba Villages
Veteran politician and sitting MLA of 28 Koridang Assembly Constituency, Imkong L Imchen, on Wednesday said he would contest the next Assembly election, making the announcement during a visit to Chungtia and Aliba villages – a visit that carried a strong sense of political and personal symbolism.
Chungtia is not just another village in his constituency. It was once his strongest base – the place where he received one of the highest number of votes and, as he himself says, where his political career began. But since 2013, when the village fielded a candidate against him, things had not been the same.
Speaking to reporters, Imchen said, “Perhaps I said even last year, I started my political foundation in this Chungtia Village. So, I have started from this village. I will end up from this village… so, in the next election, I should get a whole totality of the Chungtia Village. I am confident.”
Asked if that meant he was confirming his contest, he replied, “Yes, why not… I will enthusiastically participate in the next election and I will win.”
His statement, one of the clearest indications yet, of his plans for 2028, came as he announced a special ‘Other Roads Fund’ of Rs 90 lakh under the PWD (R&B) Mokokchung Division, approved by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, to help Chungtia prepare for next year’s Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), which the village will host.
It was also informed that the Advisor had earlier sanctioned Rs 20 lakh for the same purpose.
The village, which has witnessed multiple landslides and land-sinks leading to the evacuation of over 20 homes as reported earlier by this newspaper, remains in need of funds for repair and restoration.
It may be noted that Chungtia has never produced an MLA or minister of its own, except for Nokzenketba, who contested and won from 28 Koridang AC in 1982, 1987 and 1989 – all before Imchen’s time who first successfully contested in 2003.
The visit, however, was about more than funds or development. Imchen openly acknowledged the strained ties. “On purpose I have neglected Chungtia for two terms, especially in terms of giving employments,” he said, hinting at the political rivalry that has defined the past decade.
He said he had always held the village dearly and, with the Chungtia Village Council and the AKM Planning Committee reaching out to him, added that he would now extend full support to ensure the conference’s success.
With many Chungtia elders and representatives of the Village Council referring to him as the ‘political father’ of the village, it was symbolic that the interaction took place in the Chungtia Village Community Hall – a project initiated during his tenure and inaugurated by him.
Referring to his latest political rival from the village, Major Toshikaba, Imchen said, “Toshikaba is like my son. And for him to win the election, he has to win the hearts of Chungtia people. He must win the inherent interest of the Chungtia Village.”
The Advisor also inspected the landslide-affected area at Chungtia.
Assamwati Longchar, Chairman of the Chungtia Village Council, thanked the Advisor for his constant support and generosity. “At times there may be differences,” he said, “but the citizens of Chungtia village always regard you as the guardian and anvil of Chungtia.”
At the same time, the visit also marked the BJP’s outreach into rural areas. BJP Mokokchung Unit President O Tinu Longkumer said, “Upon hearing you all speak, I feel there is reconciliation coming along between the village and our Advisor. In politics, we don’t have permanent friends nor permanent enemies.”
Following the visit, a BJP party meeting was held at the treasurer’s residence, where it was announced that membership enrollment for Chungtia Village will begin tomorrow.
Later in the day, the Advisor visited Aliba Village, where he met with the Village Council. Aliba, a neighboring village of Chungtia, shares historical ties as a brother village, but since 2013, elections have caused deep electoral rifts between the two.
“Maintaining relationship with Chungtia is justified as they are neighbors and they must help one another,” Imchen said. However, he criticized alleged past irregularities, saying, “Allowing booth capturing to take place in Aliba Village by a different village is the council’s fault. Where is the sanctity of the Aliba Village?”
The Aliba Village Council sought his assistance in completing their ongoing guest house project and requested support for a multipurpose hall. The MLA replied, “Regarding a multipurpose hall, this year, I have given all iconic projects to Longkhum Village. Next year, it will go to another village. So, I cannot comment on that, but the guest house, I can help.”
He also spoke on the relevance of the BJP, saying, “Even Chief Minister Rio, despite his party’s dominance in seats, cannot do away with the BJP alliance – that itself says a lot about BJP’s importance.”
