(Left) NPCC President, K Therie handing over the Congress ticket to Khaseo Anar, who is the party’s candidate for the 60 Pungro-Kiphire A/C. (Right) A file photo of Lirimong Sangtam who has been declared as the BJP candidate for the 60 Pungro-Kiphire A/C bye-election.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 13
The BJP and the Congress in Nagaland today announced their candidates for one of the two assembly seats for which bye-elections are to be held on November 3. The BJP announced Lirimong Sangtam while Khaseo Anar was declared as the candidate for the Congress for the seat to the 60 Pungro-Kiphire Assembly Constituency (A/C).
Other political parties, including the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the main opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) were yet to officially declare their candidates till Tuesday night.
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on October 13 issued its party ticket to Anar during a ticket distribution programme held at Congress Bhavan in Dimapur.
Prior to handing over the ticket, NPCC President, K Therie said that Anar has been a dedicated Congress worker and expressed hope that he will uplift the image of the party in the future.
Therie indicated that Congress was aligned with the NPF in the two bye-polls of the state and were supporting each other. He also criticized the ruling BJP at the centre for being “anti-woman” and urged the people to exercise their wisdom accordingly.
Anar, meanwhile, appealed the people to extend their support and cooperation to him. He is currently the President of the District Congress Committee, Kiphire.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Central Election Committee has meanwhile selected Lirimong Sangtam as the candidate for the seat to the 60 Pungro-Kiphire A/C.
This was stated in a press release issued by the BJP National General Secretary and HQ In Charge, Arun Singh. The press release also included the names of eight other candidates for bye-elections in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
This comes a day after the Nagaland unit of the BJP had on October 12 conducted a consultative meeting of the State Election Committee with central, regional and state leaders of the party.
The bye-election to 60 Pungro-Kiphire AC was necessitated to fill the vacancy after the demise of incumbent legislator, late T Torechu of the Naga People’s Front on December 16, 2019.
Another bye-election is scheduled in the state on the same day for the 14 Southern Angami-1 AC, to fill the vacancy left by late Vikho-o Yhoshü, the former Nagaland Assembly Speaker, who passed away on December 30, 2019. He was a legislator from the ruling NDPP.
The last date for filing of nominations for the seats is October 16 while the last date for withdrawal is October 19.
NPF submits star campaigners list
Meanwhile, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) has submitted the list of its star campaigners to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland for the ensuing bye-election to 14th Southern Angami-1 A/C and 60 Pungro-Kiphire A/C.
Among the many star campaigners of the party include NPF President, Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu; Secretary General, Achumbemo Kikon; Leader of Opposition, TR Zeliang; and MLAs Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, Yitachu, Dr. Chotisuh Sazo, Keneizhakho Nakhro, Kezhienyi Khalo, Khriehu Liezietsu, Y Vikheho Swu and Muthingnyuba Sangtam.
The list also includes other leaders like Apong Pongener, Dr Huskha Yepthomi, Thenucho Tunyi, Pusazo Luruo, Kruzakie Kelio, R Tohonba, P Lipongkyu, Gonei-u Sirie, N Vihoshe, Yanhola, S Akho Leyri, S Medom, Dr Tsilhoutuo, Er Kropol Vitsu, Rukkimong, Aneii Sedem, Khriezobeinuo Sanchu and Sevotso Seyie.
On receiving the list, the Election Department forwarded the list to the Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officers of Kohima and Kiphire on October 13.
CEO notifies LAD fund restrictions
Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer, Abhijit Sinha has informed that release of funds under MP/MLA Local Area Development (LAD) schemes will be subject to restrictions as instructed by the Election Commission of India.
This comes as part of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which has come into force in entire Kohima district except for the areas under Kohima Municipal council other than ward No 5 Kitsubozou (Chotobosti) and in the entire Kiphire District with immediate effect and will be in force till the completion of the election process.
