BJP announces list of candidates including a woman for Nagaland Assembly election

Dimapur, Feb. 2 (EMN): The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday declared the candidates for the ensuing general election to the legislative assemblies of Nagaland and Meghalaya states ahead of the poll on February 27.

The announcement was made via online by CEC led by BJP National Secretary Rituraj Sinha and Nalin Kohli, BJP National Spokesperson.

BJP Nagaland President and minister Temjen Imna Along declared that the 20-40 seats sharing of BJP and NDPP will continue.

The list of candidates announced by the BJP are:

• H Tovihoto Ayemi from Dimapur –I AC
• N Jacob Zhimomi from Ghaspani-I AC
• Kropol Vitsu from Southern Angami-II AC
• Pangjung Jamir from Tuli AC
• Imkong L Imchen from Koridang AC
• Temjen Imna Along from Alongtaki AC
• Kazheto Kinimi from Akuluto AC
• Kahuli Sema from Atoizu AC
• H Khehovi from Suruhoto AC
• Yanthungo Patton from Tyui AC
• Renbonthung Ezung from Wokha AC
• Mmhonlumo Kikon from Bhandari AC
• P Paiwang Konyak from Tizit AC
• Konngam Konyak from Phomching AC
• Cheong Konyak from Mon town AC
• S Pangnyu Phom from Longleng AC
• Sethrongkyu Sangtam from Longkhim Chare AC
• Bashangmongba Chang from Tuensang Sadar-I AC
• H Haiying from Noklak AC
• V Kashiho Sangtam from Seyochung Sitimi AC

It may be mentioned that the party is fielding one woman candidate — Kahuli Sema — from Atoizu AC.
Nalin Kohli said during the announcement that 11 out of the sitting 12 sitting MLAs have been given the party tickets to contest in the state Assembly election 2023.

Advisor for National Highways Treasuries Dr Longrineken Ao, who won the election from Jangpetkong AC in 2018, has been dropped for the upcoming poll.

So, out of the 20 seats, 11 are incumbent MLAs, four had contested in 2018, and five are fresh candidates.
Rituraj Sinha said during the press conference that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited Northeast more than 50 times during his tenure and that huge investment has been made across the eight north-eastern states to enhance connectivity in the region and provide basic amenities.

He asserted that under Modi leadership, apart from development, the NE is witnessing an era of peace and several peace accords, that have been pending for decades, were signed. PM has established that Northeast is an essential and integral part of India, he added.

He also asserted that under Home Minister Amit Shah, 85% of area that was under AFSPA has been removed from the north-eastern states, bringing a great relief to the people of the region.

Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Y Patton, who was also present at the press conference, expressed confidence of winning more seats this time than in 2018.
It was updated that the CEC, BJP, had a meeting on Wednesday under the presidentship of JP Nadda to finalise the candidates for the two poll-bound north-eastern states.

The meeting was attended by Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and members of the CEC.