A doctor, 2 law graduates in fray for lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland

KOHIMA — Three candidates are in the fray for the lone Parliamentary seat in Nagaland, as the state gears up for the first phase of voting on April 19.

The general election to the 18th Lok Sabha will take place in seven phases spread over 44 days, as simultaneous assembly elections will be held in four states — Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

The three candidates for Nagaland are Dr. Chumben Murry of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), S Supongmeren Jamir of the Indian National Congress (INC) and Hayithung Tungoe Lotha, who is contesting as an Independent.

Around 13.17 lakh voters from across the state will determine the fate of these candidates via postal ballots and 2342 polling stations spread across 16 districts.

Dr. Chumben Murry

He is the consensus candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) from 38 Wokha Assembly Constituency.

The 61-year-old social worker and politician is a medical doctor by profession, having obtained Doctor of Medicine (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) from Government Medical College Nagpur under Nagpur University in 1990.

Criminal records: As per the self-declaration affidavit, Dr. Murry does not have any pending criminal records and has not been convicted of any criminal offenses.

Asset: He is a crorepati with assets worth INR 30,599,889, including movable assets such as vehicles and others valued at INR 13,399,889. The immovable assets are valued at INR 17,200,000, which includes seven acres of agricultural land acquired at New Wokha village since 2009, among other holdings.

Supongmeren Jamir

INC candidate S Supongmeren Jamir is from 25 Mongoya Assembly Constituency.

The 61-year-old social worker and politician earned his Bachelor of Law (LLB) from Mokokchung Law College under North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in 1993.

Criminal records: As per the self-declaration affidavit, he does not have any pending criminal records and has not been convicted of any criminal offenses.

Asset: He has moveable assets worth INR 500,868 and immovable assets worth INR 2,650,000, along with loan liabilities amounting to INR 5,56,528, as per his affidavit.

Hayithung Tungoe Lotha

From 37 Tyui Assembly Constituency and based in Dimapur, he is contesting the Lok Sabha election as an Independent.

The 41-year-old social worker, entrepreneur and politician holds multiple degrees, including an LLB from Delhi University, Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from NEHU and Masters degree in Political Science and Public Administration from IGNOU.

Criminal records: He has a criminal record, with an FIR lodged against him under the East Police Station, involving Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 121(A)/504/505(b)/506/120B and 34.

“The applicant who is a member of NTPRADAO (Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy and Direct Action Organisation) has threatened to storm and attack each of the 60 legislator’s official quarters and burnt it down to ashes, if the present NLA (Nagaland Legislative Assembly) succumbs to outside forces and pass the bill in support of the Uniform Civil Code. In respect to these allegations an FIR was lodged against the applicant,” read the self-declaration affidavit.

Asset: He is a crorepati with assets valued at INR 13,105,000, including moveable assets worth INR 51,05,000. His immovable assets are worth INR 80,00,000, including development/construction valued at INR 55,60,000 among others.

He also entered into a contract with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. on July 19, 2011.